Alvan  Bond,  D.D. 


A  Historical  Discourse 
Delivered  at  the 
Hundredth  Anniversary 
of  the  Organization  of  the 
lecond  Congregational  Church 

Norwich,  Conn. ,  July  I860 


^^■■atHK. 


BX7I50 


'i\l°D  'uo4>jdo4s 
'AN  'ssnoojAg 

'Dui  "soya  ayoiAVD 

Aq  pajniao^nuDw 

yaaNiaianHdwvd 
INnOWOlOHd 


<^7     •     >^/V    1   >  -*S^V 


HISTORICAL  DISCOURSE, 


DELIVERED    AT    THE 


HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY 


OF  THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE 


SECOND  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH, 


NORWICH,  CONN.,  JULY  24,  1860. 


WITH  AN 


APPENDIX. 


BY    ALYAN    BOND,    D.  D. 


NORWICH: 

MANNING,  PL  ATT  &  CO.,  PRINTERS,  FRANKLIN  SQUARE. 

1860. 


HISTORICAL  DISCOURSE, 


DELIVERED    AT    THE 


. 


HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY 


OF  THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE 


SECOND  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH, 

NORWICH,  CONN.,  JULY  24,  1860. 


APPENDIX. 


BY    ALVAN    BOND,    D.  D. 


NOEWICH: 

MANNING,  PLATT  &  CO.,  PRINTERS,  FRANKLIN  SQUARE. 

1860. 


Norwich,  July  26th,  1860. 
Rev.  ALVAN  BOND,  D.D. 

Dear  Sir  : 

The  undersigned  Committee, 
appointed  by  the  Second  Congregational  Church  in  relation  to  their  Centen- 
nial Celebration,  beg  leave  to  express,  for  the  Church  and  themselves,  their 
hearty  thanks  for  your  excellent  Historical  Discourse  on  that  occasion,  and 

to  request  a  copy  of  the  same  for  publication. 

WILLIAM  WILLIAMS, 
JOHN  A.  ROCKWELL, 
GEORGE   PERKINS, 
EBENEZER   LEARNED, 
FRANCIS  A.  DORRANCE, 
S.  H.  GROSVENOR, 
CHARLES  JOHNSON, 
C.  B.  WEBSTER, 
DAVID   SMITH. 


Norwich,  July  27th,  1860. 
GENTLEMEN : 

Please  accept  my  thanks  for  .your  note  of  yesterday,  and  for 
the  kind  manner  in  which  you  speak  of  the  Historical  Discourse,  delivered  on 
occasion  of  the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  our  Church.  In  response  to  your 
request,  it  is  submitted  to  your  disposal  for  publication. 

Sincerely  Yours, 

ALVAN  BOND. 
Messrs.  William  Williams,  and  others. 


HISTORICAL   DISCOURSE. 


Brethren  and  Friends  : 

The  record  of  a  hundred  years  in  the  history  of  our  Church 
closes  to-day.  We  have  assembled  to  review  this  record,  to 
revive  the  reminiscences  of  the  past,  and  devoutly  recognize 
in  prayer  and  song  the  good  hand  of  our  God,  as  revealed  to 
our  Fathers  in  the  way  in  which  he  led  them. 

The  ecclesiastical  vine  which  they  planted  in  this  rugged 
soil,  has,  amidst  alternations  of  sunshine  and  storm,  matured 
from  weakness  to  a  healthy,  vigorous  development,  and  prom- 
ises to  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age.  Already  "  she  hath  sent 
out  her  boughs  unto  the  sea,  and  her  branches  unto  the  river." 
On  the  hundredth  anniversary  of  this  century  plant  we  come 
together,  to  sit  and  commune  under  her  shadow,  and  render 
her  the  tribute  of  grateful  affection,  as  we  rehearse  what  our 
fathers  have  told  us  of  the  work  of  God  in  their  days,  in  the 
times  of  old. 

A  hundred  years  does  not,  indeed,  produce  a  very  percepti- 
ble change  in  the  progress  of  the  shadow  on  the  dial  of  time, 
or  carry  us  far  into  the  region  of  gray  antiquity,  where  history 
is  often  merged  in  the  age  of  fable.  But  in  the  fresh  life  of 
"Young  America,"  a  century  reaches  to  a  day  of  small  things 
in  the  annals  of  our  ecclesiastical  life  and  civilization.  Even 
our  elder  sister  on  the  old  town  plot,  (perhaps  she  may  claim 
a  maternal  relation)  will  regard  us  as  having  just  reached  the 


vigorous  summer  of  our  existence,  her  first  centennial  anni- 
versary having  been  identical  with  the  date  of  our  ecclesias- 
tical birth. 

Had  all  the  incidents  and  facts  of  value,  connected  with 
the  life  and  progress  of  our  church,  been  carefully  preserved, 
there  would  have  been  a  much  richer  stock  of  materials,  from 
which  to  select  matter  for  the  present  occasion,  than  our  im- 
perfect records  afford.  For  some  of  these  things,  which  have 
perished  for  want  of  a  contemporary  historian,  I  might  draw 
on  imagination ;  but  I  am  aware  that  a  truthful,  matter-of- 
fact  narrative  is  expected.  I  have,  therefore,  gleaned  from 
the  field  of  research  sundry  matters,  which,  though  they  may 
seem  barren  of  interest  to  those  who  relish  a  fresher  and  more 
succulent  entertainment,  have  not  failed  to  interest  my  own 
feelings.  If  they  fail  of  meeting  a  corresponding  response  on 
the  part  of  my  audience,  I  must  crave  their  indulgence  for 
the  hour,  assuring  them,  that,  with  such  materials  as  I  have 
been  able  to  collect,  I  have  done  the  best  in  my  power. 

One  hundred  years  ago,  and  these  angular  streets,  steep  de- 
clivities, and  shady  river  sides,  were  occupied  by  a  few  plain 
isolated  houses  and  stores,  with  little  if  any  of  the  ornamen- 
tal appendages  and  horticultural  decorations  which  we  see  to- 
day. Prior  to  the  year  1725,  there  were  no  dwelling  houses 
in  this  part  of  the  town.  The  land,  excepting  a  few  water 
lots,  lay  in  common  with  its  rugged  cliffs,  dells  and  swamps, 
scattered  about  in  picturesque  variety  and  wildness.  It  had 
its  romantic  attractions  and  scenery,  and  its  tragic  legends  of 
Indian  warfare,  and  was  a  favorite  resort  for  holiday  recrea- 
tion and  rustic  sport. 

When  haying  was  over  in  the  rural  settlements,  the  young 
folks  were  accustomed  to  muster  for  a  jolly  excursion  to  Nor- 
wich Landing,  to  wander  over  the  hills,  climb  the  rocks,  eat 
oysters,  drink  flip,  and  spend  the  day  in  fun  and  frolic*     A 

*  Miss  Caulkins'  Hist,  of  Norwich. 


daguerreotype  of  one  of  those  rollicking  picnics,  with  the  free 
and  easy  manners,  and  home-spun  costume  of  the  brawny 
swains  and  bnxoin  maidens,  would,  I  think,  possess  attractions 
beyond  any  of  the  shows  or  panoramas  of  modern  exhibition. 

At  this  time  Chelsea  was  little  else  than  "  a  haven  of  ships," 
which  sat  gracefully  on  the  placid  bosom  of  the  Thames,  re- 
ceiving their  cargoes  from  the  inland  towns,  preparatory  to  a 
voyage  to  the  West  Indies.  An  impulse  had  been  given  to 
commercial  enterprise,  the  wharves  of  the  Landing  presented  a 
busy  scene,  and  the  merry  shout  of  the  sailor  was  echoed  from 
these  rough  hill-sides.  Two  avenues  from  the  town  had  been 
opened  on  the  east  and  west  side  of  yonder  abrupt  ridge,  which 
rises  between  the  Yantic  and  Shetucket,  and  were  connected 
by  Water  street,  thus  forming  a  winding  way  round  the  base 
of  the  hill.  A  ferry  plyed  between  the  west  bank  of  the  She- 
tucket and  Preston  side,  and  another  across  the  cove  to  West 
Chelsea,  where  some  three  or  four  houses  had  been  built. 

On  pleasant  afternoons  the  ladies  of  the  Landing  made 
equestrian  trips  up  town  for  the  purpose  of  shopping,  that  be- 
ing the  emporium  of  fashion  and  fancy  goods.  At  the  same 
time  they  called  on  their  cousins,  and  cherished  the  charities 
of  good  neighborhood.  Perhaps  they  sent  word  of  their  com- 
ing ;  for  in  those  days  of  inartificial  simplicity,  visitors  sent 
notice  of  their  coming,  without  waiting  for  any  formal  invita- 
tion, or  cards  of  ceremony. 

The  generation  which  then  lived  and  moved  amidst  these 
rugged  and  picturesque  localities,  was  generally  of  Puritan 
descent,  and  possessed  those  masculine  elements  of  character, 
and  that  iron  energy,  which  enabled  them  to  lay  strong  foun- 
dations for  a  thriving  community.  Chelsea,  with  her  river 
privileges,  began  to  look  up,  and  entertain  the  presumption, 
that  one  day  she  might  rival  her  up-town  neighbor.  Con- 
scious of  their  growing  importance,  and  sagacious  as  to  the 
kind  of  influences  essential  to  a  healthy  growth,  the  people 


6 

began  to  consult  each  other  respecting  the  institutions  of  re- 
ligion and  education.  As  yet  there  was  no  meeting-house,  no 
church,  no  preaching.  They  decided  that  if  they  were  to 
compare  favorably  in  point  of  civilization  and  morality  with 
the  people  of  the  old  dominion,  they  must,  like  them,  inau- 
gurate these  institutions.  With  a  view  to  this  end,  prelimi- 
nary measures  were  taken  as  early  as  1751.  Unforeseen 
embarrassments,  and  want  of  union  as  to  plans  of  operation, 
delayed  the  consummation  of  an  object,  the  importance  of 
which  all  conceded. 

The  ecclesiastical  Society,  with  which  this  church  is  affili- 
ated, was  organized  at  a  meeting  held  on  the  29th  day  of  No- 
vember, 1751.  Captain  Dean  was  chosen  Moderator  ;  Mr.  El- 
eazer  Waterman,  and  Mr.  Nathaniel  Backus  were  appointed 
with  him  as  the  committee  of  the  Society  for  the  year.  It  was 
voted  at  the  same  meeting  to  erect  a  sign-post  near  Mr.  Peter 
Lanman's  corner,  where  notice  should  be  given  of  future 
Society  meetings.  At  another  meeting,  convened  on  the  10th 
of  December  following,  it  was  voted  to  have  preaching  four 
months,  and  that  a  tax  be  laid  of  one  shilling  and  four  pence 
on  the  pound,  to  meet  the  expenses.  Capt.  Jabez  Dean  was 
appointed  to  negotiate  with  Mr.  Elijah  Lothrop,  of  Windham, 
to  preach  for  the  Society,  and  procure  a  place  where  to  hold 
meetings. 

The  next  preacher  employed,  was  Mr.  John  Curtis.  At  a 
meeting  held  April  29th,  1752,  it  was  voted  to  reward  Mr. 
Curtis  by  contributions  on  the  Sabbath.  Mr.  John  Elderkin 
was  chosen  to  treat  with  him  in  behalf  of  the  Society.  The 
services  of  Mr.  Curtis  were  continued  a  part  of  the  year,  till 
1754,  when  a  vote  to  employ  him  further  was  passed  in  the 
negative.  A  meeting  was  called  on  the  22d  of  April,  1755, 
at  which  it  was  voted  to  employ  Mr.  Ebenezer  Cleaveland,  to 
preach  one  year.  There  are  minutes  of  other  votes  on  the  re- 
cords of  the  Society  to  have  preaching,  but  the  names  of  no 


other  candidates  are  given.  Thus  far  no  steps  seem  to  have 
been  taken  to  settle  a  minister  in  the  parish. 

On  the  30th  of  June,  1759,  it  was  voted  to  give  Rev.  Na- 
thaniel Whitaker,  of  New  Jersey,  a  call  to  settle,  provided 
those  who  were  to  be  organized  into  a  church,  should  concur 
and  agree  as  to  matters  of  faith  and  practice.  It  was  at  the 
same  time  voted  to  give  Mr.  Whitaker  one  hundred  pounds  as 
a  settlement,  and  a  salary  of  one  hundred  pounds  annually, 
for  his  support  during  the  time  of  his  ministry. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  the  4th  of  January,  17G0,  the  follow- 
ing votes  were  passed  :  "  First,  whether  the  Society  do  judge 
it  necessary  to  build  a  meeting-house  for  public  worship  in 
said  Society.  Resolved  in  the  affirmative.  Second,  whether 
the  present  Society  committee,  viz :  Jonathan  Huntington, 
Elijah  Lothrop  and  Ephraim  Bill,  shall  be  appointed  to  make 
application  to  the  County  Court  for  a  committee  to  appoint 
and  afix  the  place,  whereon  the  said  meeting-house  shall  be 
erected  and  built." 

In  consequence  of  embarrassments  and  disagreements,  the 
purpose  of  building  a  house  of  worship  was  postponed,  and 
not  earnestly  resumed  for  several  years.  Mr.  Whitaker  ac- 
cepted the  invitation  to  settle  as  the  minister  of  the  parish, 
and  measures  were  taken  to  defray  the  expense  of  removing 
him  and  his  family  from  New  Jersey,  where  he  had  been  set- 
tled. He  arrived  on  the  12th  of  April,  1760,  and  immediately 
directed  his  efforts  to  the  gathering  of  a  church,  before  being 
installed. 

The  first  entry  on  the  records  of  the  church,  is  in  Mr.  Whita- 
ker's  hand,  and  as  follows  :  "  After  many  endeavors  the 
church  was  gathered,  and  formed  by  signing  a  Covenant  and 
Articles  of  Faith,  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Jabcz 
Wight,  and  Benjamin  Throop,  on  the  24th  day  of  July, 
1760." 

The  following  persons,  viz :  Nathaniel  Whitaker,  Nathaniel 


Backus,  John  Porter,  Isaiah  Tiffany,  Nathaniel  Shipman  and 
Seth  Alden  signed  the  Covenant  at  the  time  the  church  was 
organized.  When  the  installing  council  was  convened,  the 
following  names  were  added,  viz  :  Jonathan  Huntington,  Wil- 
liam Capron,  Caleb  Whiting,  Jabez  Dean,  Eleazer  Waterman, 
and  Ebenezer  Fitch. 

As  Mr.  Whitaker  had  been  connected  with  a  Presbyterian 
body  in  New  Jersey,  he  favored  that  platform  of  church  gov- 
ernment. As  his  agency  was  prominent  in  giving  form  to  the 
church,  which  he  had  aided  in  gathering  before  his  settlement, 
he  had  so  managed  the  matter  as  to  secure  the  adoption  of 
the  Presbyterian  polity.  The  plan  of  church  discipline  and 
government,  proposed  by  him,  consisted  of  thirteen  articles, 
which  distinctly  recognized  the  authority  of  a  church  session 
consisting  of  pastor  and  elders,  to  which  body  the  entire 
management  of  all  ecclesiastical  business  was  entrusted. 
The  authority  of  Presbytery  and  Synod,  as  judicatories,  was 
recognized  and  defined.  Among  the  brethren  there  was  a 
difference  of  views  in  respect  to  the  question  of  adopting  such 
a  platform.  It  was,  however,  mutually  agreed  to  submit  the 
matter  to  the  judgment  and  decision  of  the  council  that 
should  be  called  to  install  the  pastor  elect.  This  council  was 
composed  of  the  following  pastors  and  delegates : 
Rev.  Benjamin  Lord,  Hon.  Hezekiah  Huntington,  delegate. 
"     Hezekiah  Lord,       Col.  Samuel  Coit,  " 

"     Jabez  Wight,  Mr.  Jabez  Fitch,  " 

"     Eleazer  Wheelock,  Mr.  Samuel  Woodward,  " 

"     Benj.  Throop,         Dea.  Simon  Lothrop,  " 

"     Timothy  Allen,      Mr.  Isaiah  Hendy,  " 

"     Asher  Rosseter,      Dea.  Jedediah  Tracy,  " 

"     Solomon  Williams. 

This  council  assembled  on  the  24th  of  February,  1761,  and 
was  organized  by  the  election  of  Rev.  H.  Lord,  as  Moderator, 
and  Rev.  Mr.  Throop,  as  Scribe.     The  first  subject  that  occu- 


pied  their  attention,  was  the  plan  of  church  government,  which 
by  agreement  was  submitted  to  them.  After  consultation  a 
result  was  reached,  and  recommended  for  the  adoption  of  the 
church,  before  proceeding  to  the  services  of  the  installation. 
The  Cambridge  Platform  was  recommended  and  accepted  as 
a  substitute  for  the  one  which  had  been  urged  by  Mr.  Whita- 
ker.*  The  installation  took  place  on  the  following  day.  Rev. 
Benjamin  Lord,  pastor  of  the  first  church,  preached,  and  his 
discourse  was  published. 

Some  of  you  may  like  to  be  introduced  to  Mr.  Whitaker, 
whose  agency  was  so  prominent  in  the  primary  movements  of 
this  church.  I  will  present  him  to  your  acquaintance,  pre- 
suming that  he  is  a  stranger,  of  whom  most  of  you  have  little 
or  no  knowledge.  He  was  born  in  Concord,  Mass.,  and  was 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  the  year  1730.  His  first  set- 
tlement was  in  New  Jersey,  where  he  acquired  such  a  stand- 
ing in  his  profession  as  to  procure  from  Princeton  College  the 
honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  He  was  a  staunch 
Presbyterian  of  the  old  Scotch  stamp,  and  made  an  earnest 
effort  to  plant  that  order  here.  But  the  two  old  Puritan  Na- 
thaniels, Backus  and  Shipman,  declined  coming  into  such  ar- 
rangement, and  they  carried  their  point,  and  Congregation- 
alism was  the  vine  here  planted. 

As  a  preacher,  Mr.  Whitaker  possessed  a  high  degree  of 
discrimination  and  force.  There  was  strength,  if  not  beauty, 
in  his  ministrations.  I  infer  this  from  a  sermon,  preached  by 
him,  ninety-eight  years  ago.  It  is  entitled,  "  The  trial  of  the 
Spirits,"  printed  at  "  Providence,  in  New  England,  by  Wm. 
Goddard,  near  the  Court-house."  As  the  printing  of  a  ser- 
mon in  those  days  was  an  event  in  a  man's  life,  an  elaborate 
preface  introduced  the  discourse,  of  which  the  following  is  an 
extract :  "  0  !  how  sad  is  it,  that  such  multitudes  of  men 
and  women,  youth  and  children,  even  where  the  word  of  God 
is  powerfully  taught,  who  have  Bibles  in  their  hands,  and  live 


*  See  Note  A. 


10 

in  Goshen,  a  land  of  light,  should  run  headlong  in  the  broad 
way  which  leads  down  to  destruction  ;  *  *  *  *  that  they 
should  so  highly  prize  and  constantly  gratify  the  flesh,  which 
must  shortly  be  food  for  worms,  and  so  basely  slight  and  neg- 
lect their  souls  ;  that  every  soul-murdering,  damning  lust 
should  by  them  be  so  heartily  embraced,  and  Jesus,  the  soul- 
saving  Lord,  but  coldly  and  complimentally  entertained !" 
In  the  body  of  the  discourse  is  found  the  following :  "  There 
is  an  enthusiastic,  anti-christian  spirit,  which  leads  poor  souls 
to  rest  upon  impulses,  impressions,  motions,  and  what  they 
feel  within  them,  as  if  they  were  the  ground  and  reason  of 
their  faith  and  hope  ;  whereas  the  true  sealing  and  feeling  of 
the  Spirit  is  the  fruit  and  effect  of  faith,  and  not  the  ground  of 
it.  '  After  ye  believed,  ye  were  sealed  with  the  Holy  Spirit.' 
The  true  Spirit  leads  the  soul  to  a  dependence  on  Christ  with- 
out him,  even  upon  Christ  in  the  word  of  grace  and  promise, 
not  upon  Christ  within  him,  nor  upon  any  created  or  commu- 
nicated graces,  gifts,  experiences,  tears,  sorrows,  joys,  forms, 
feelings,  faith,  hope,  knowledge,  or  whatever  else  can  be 
named,  that  is  not  God  in  Christ,  exhibited  in  the  word  of 
faith,  and  covenant  of  grace." 

From  such  notices,  as  I  have  been  able  to  glean  from  the 
past,  I  am  confirmed  in  the  conclusion,  that  he  possessed 
strong  elements  of  character.  His  style  was  terse  and  direct, 
unpolished,  but  strong.  His  executive  energy  was  exhibited 
in  his  preliminary  movements  in  this  new  field.  He  labored 
under  great  disadvantages,  arising  from  want  of  means,  want 
of  harmony  between  himself  and  some  of  the  church,  and  the 
want  of  a  house  of  worship.  Public  worship  for  several  years 
was  maintained  in  Mr.  Samuel  Trapp's  tavern,  Shetucket 
street,  afterwards  owned  by  the  late  Benjamin  Coit,  Esq. 

From  some  of  the  writings  of  Mr.  Whitaker,  as  well  as 
from  traditional  statements,  it  is  evident  that  he  was  fond  of 
controversy.     Some  of  his  people  thought  that  he  loved  money 


11 

more  than  was  lawful  for  a  minister,  because,  finding  himself 
not  unfrequently  short,  he  opened  a  store  to  eke  out  his 
hundred  pounds  lawful  money.  He  did  not  go  heavily  into 
the  grocery  business,  but  limited  his  traffic  to  wine,  molasses, 
nutmegs,  raisins,  salt  and  pepper,  with  some  other  articles 
in  that  line.  Some  of  his  hearers  thought  that  at  times  a 
liberal  quantity  of  the  pepper  was  put  into  his  sermons.  He 
claimed  a  monopoly  of  these  articles  of  trade,  and  if  others 
sold  them,  he  would  go  in  for  a  spirited  competition. 

He  did  not,  however,  let  his  merchandize  interfere  with  the 
discipline  of  the  church.  He  had  its  organization  completed 
by  the  appointment  of  four  ruling  Elders  ;  for  his  Presbyte- 
rian tendencies  would  now  and  then  creep  out  in  his  ecclesi- 
astical measures.  I  find  no  record  of  Deacons.  The  Elders 
probably  officiated  as  Deacons,  and,  perhaps,  subsequently 
took  the  name.  From  what  may  be  inferred  respecting  these 
men,  from  the  part  they  took  in  the  affairs  of  church  and  so- 
ciety, it  is  evident  that  they  constituted  a  strong  board  of  offi- 
cers. With  the  pastor,  who  was  rigid  in  discipline,  they  aimed 
to  keep  things  straight  in  the  church.  A  member  is  com- 
plained of  for  making  too  free  use  of  old  Jamaica  and  Santa 
Croix,  articles  which  the  West  India  commerce  introduced 
into  Chelsea  market  in  that  day.  It  was  not  alleged  that  he 
was  ever  seen  drunk,  but  that  he  drinked  immoderately,  and 
would  now  and  then  go  on  a  regular  spree.  He  was  accord- 
ingly dealt  with,  as  he  should  have  been,  and  rebuked  for 
such  disorderly  behavior  ;  and,  persisting  in  this  way  of  trans- 
gression, he  was  excluded  from  the  church.  A  young  woman, 
one  Sabbath  morning,  strolled  down  to  the  banks  of  the  river 
after  a  freshet,  to  see  the  ice  break  up.  For  this  she  was 
called  to  account,  received  an  official  admonition,  was  subject- 
ed to  a  fine  of  five  shillings,  and  restored  to  regular  standing. 
There  was  one  Hannah  Forsey,  who  walked  out  Sabbath  eve- 
ning with  Ede  Trapp,  upon  no  religious  occasion,  which  was 


12 

a  scandal,  and  withal  contrary  to  the  statute  of  the  Colony. 
For  this  offence  she  had  to  appear  before  the  proper  authori- 
ties, pay  three  shillings  fine,  and  one  shilling  cost,  and  promise 
that  she  would  not  again  be  so  en-trapped.  There  were  vigi- 
lant Ty thing-men  and  grave  Elders,  whose  duty  it  was  to 
keep  the  young  folks  straight,  especially  on  the  Lord's  day. 

During  the  first  years  of  our  church,  its  growth  was  retard- 
ed by  various  difficulties  which  those  worthy  fathers  had  to 
encounter.  It  began  with  twelve  members,  and  during  a 
period  of  about  eight  years  only  twenty  others  were  added. 
With  great  effort  the  salary  of  a  hundred  pounds  was  raised 
for  the  pastor's  support.  It  was  not  till  after  many  meetings, 
and  much  discussion,  and  protracted  effort,  that  a  house  of 
worship,  forty-one  feet  by  thirty-seven,  was  so  far  completed 
as  to  be  occupied.  This  was  in  the  year  1766,  nine  years 
after  the  call  for  the  first  meeting  at  which  the  proposal  for 
such  a  building  was  entertained.  It  stood  en  Main  street, 
nearly  opposite  the  house  of  Mr.  William  L'Hommedieu. 
The  building  was  planned  for  thirty-six  pews,  which  were 
sold,  and  the  proceeds  of  sale  were  applied  towards  payment 
for  the  house.*  For  a  while  the  bell  was  suspended  on  the  limb 
of  a  tree,  as  for  want  of  means  a  steeple  was  dispensed  with. 
Afterwards  a  tower  was  added  to  the  building,  in  which  the 
bell  was  hung,  and  whence  its  Sabbath  chimes  rang  among 
these  hills  and  vallies,  reminding  the  good  people  of  the  hour 
of  worship.  Joseph  Smith,  a  trusty  man,  was  appointed  Sex- 
ton, to  ring  the  bell  and  sweep  the  meeting-house,  on  a  salary 
of  twenty  shillings  annually,  lawful  money. 

From  the  time  when  this  religious  society  was  organized, 
till  their  house  of  worship  was  in  a  state  to  be  occupied, 
fifteen  years  had  elapsed — many  of  them  years  of  discourage- 
ment and  difficulty.  But  the  few  heroic  pioneers  of  this  hal- 
lowed enterprise  persisted  in  their  purpose  to  plant  in  this 
unoccupied  field  a  vine  of  the  right  seed.     They  did  not  labor 

*  See  Note  B. 


13 

in  vain.  But  though  their  success  was  only  a  day  of  small 
things,  it  was  such  as  to  encourage  the  hope  that  the  vine 
would  take  strong  root,  and  that  under  its  shadow  they  would 
sit  for  years  to  come. 

The  circumstances  in  which  Mr.  Whitaker  commenced  his 
lahors,  and  the  misunderstanding  which  began  to  exist  be- 
tween him  and  leading  members  of  the  church,  made  it 
manifest  that  his  pastorate  would  not  be  a  permanent  one. 
Though  a  majority  of  the  church  adhered  to  him,  he  felt  that 
duty  summoned  him  to  some  other  field  of  labor,  and  he  pro- 
posed to  the  church  that  a  council  be  called  to  take  the  ques- 
tion of  his  dismission  into  consideration,  and  if  they  judged 
advisable  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation. 

Before  steps  were  taken  for  acting  on  his  request,  he  was 
invited  by  the  "  Connecticut  Board  of  Correspondence  for 
Indian  Affairs"  to  accompany  Sampson  Occum,  the  Mohegan 
preacher,  on  a  mission  to  England,  to  solicit  funds  for  "  Moor's 
Indian  Charity  School,"  then  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Wheelock, 
of  Lebanon.  This  novel  mission,  owing  doubtless  to  the  ro- 
mantic interest  created  by  the  presence  and  appeals  of  the 
first  Indian  preacher  from  America  who  ever  visited  that 
country,  proved  very  successful.  Thus  the  first  minister  of 
this  church  embarked  in  a  missionary  enterprise  which  had 
respect  to  the  conversion  of  the  Pagans  of  our  country.  This 
event  seemed  the  forthshadowing  of  a  still  higher  missionary 
interest  that  has  become  historic.  As  the  result  of  this  primi- 
tive mission  for  our  Aboriginal  inhabitants,  nearly  ten  thou- 
sand pounds  sterling  were  collected,  and  deposited  in  the 
hands  of  trustees,  subject  to  the  order  of  Dr.  Wheelock,  for 
the  support  of  his  Indian  school.  Of  this  sum  George  III. 
gave  two  hundred  pounds,  and  Lord  Dartmouth  fifty  guineas  ; 
as  a  compliment  to  the  latter  for  his  generous  devotion,  his 
name  was  given  to  Dartmouth  College,  at  the  suggestion  of 
Dr.  Wheelock,  its  first  President. 


14 

On  the  return  of  Mr.  Whitaker  to  Norwich,  he  did  not  find 
things  such  as  to  encourage  his  continuance  with  his  people. 
Accordingly,  at  his  own  request,  he  was  dismissed  in  March, 
1769.  On  the  28th  of  July  following,  he  was  installed  as 
Pastor  of  what  was  then  the  third  church  in  Salem,  Mass. 
While  connected  with  this  church,  he  aided  the  society,  by 
his  counsels  and  executive  talent,  in  building  a  new  house 
of  worship  in  the  year  1776,  which  was  dedicated  as  the 
"  Tabernacle  Church" — a  name  still  retained.  This  church 
was  subsequently  occupied  by  Dr.  Worcester,  the  first  Corres- 
ponding Secretary  of  the  American  Board  of  Missions.  While 
in  Salem,  he  preached  and  published  a  sermon  on  the  death 
of  the  celebrated  Whitefield.  His  connection  with  this  church 
was  dissolved  in  1783,  and  in  the  following  year  he  was  set- 
tled over  a  church  in  what  was  then  the  Province  of  Maine. 
Continuing  there  about  five  years,  he  was  again  dismissed, 
and  removed  to  the  State  of  Virginia,  where  he  died.  He 
published  several  sermons  and  pamphlets,  which  were  received 
at  the  time  as  creditable  to  his  head  and  heart.* 

It  was  more  than  two  years  after  Mr.  W.'s  dismission  be- 
fore there  was  a  successful  effort  to  procure  a  successor.  In 
July,  1771,  the  church  voted  unanimously  to  invite  Mr. 
Ephraim  Judson  to  become  their  Pastor.  The  Society  con- 
vened, and  voted  an  annual  salary  of  one  hundred  pounds. 
At  the  same  time  a  subscription  was  proposed  for  the  purchase 
of  a  parsonage.  This  effort  resulted  in  raising  one  hundred 
and  twenty  pounds,  and  the  balance  of  the  necessary  amount 
was  assured  by  the  Society.  Mr.  Judson  accepted  the  call, 
and  a  council  was  convened  on  the  3d  of  October,  1771,  for 
his  ordination.  The  following  pastors  and  delegates  com 
posed  the  council : 

Rev.  Benjamin  Lord,  Hezekiah  Huntington,  delegate. 

"     Jabez  Wight,  Daniel  Mix,  " 

*  See  Note  C. 


15 

Rev.  Asher  Rosseter,  Joseph  Freeman,  delegate. 

"     Noah  Benedict,  Elnathan  Judson,        " 

"     Levi  Hart,  Elijah  Belcher,  " 

"     Aaron  Kiime,  Ebenezer  Avery,  " 

"     Joel  Benedict,  Jacob  Perkins,  " 

The  Rev.  Noah  Benedict  preached  on  the  occasion. 

A  historical  sketch  of  Mr.  Judson's  life  and  character  may 
be  found  in  Dr.  Sprague's  "  Annals  of  the  American  Pulpit," 
vol.  second.  He  was  born  in  Woodbury,  in  the  year  1737, 
and  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1763.  His  ministry  in 
connection  with  this  church  continued  about  seven  years.  At 
his  own  request,  he  was  released  from  his  pastoral  relation  in 
December,  1778.  He  was  subsequently  installed  as  pastor  of 
the  Congregational  Church  in  Taunton,  Mass.,  where  he  re- 
mained about  ten  years.  In  the  year  1791,  he  was  settled  in 
the  church  at  Sheffield,  Mass.,  and  retained  his  pastoral  rela- 
tion thereto  till  his  death,  in  February,  1813,  aged  seventy- 
five.  While  living  in  Norwich,  he  had  one  child,  a  son,  who 
was  graduated  at  Williams  College,  and  subsequently  studied 
law.  Mr.  Judson  was  an  uncle  of  the  distinguished  missionary, 
Adoniram  Judson,  D.  D.,  who  founded  the  Baptist  mission  in 
the  Birman  empire. 

From  what  I  have  learned  of  Mr.  Judson,  I  am  led  to  the 
conclusion,  that  he  was  a  man  of  commanding  personal  ap- 
pearance, deliberate  in  his  movements,  dignified  in  his  man- 
ners, and  yet  affable  to  those  well  acquainted  with  him.  Dr. 
Chester  Dewey,  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  whose  native  place  was 
Sheffield,  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Sprague,  published  in  his  Annals, 
says :  "  In  his  theology  he  was  a  decided  follower  of  Dr. 
Hopkins  ;  and,  being  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  system, 
and  withal  possessed  of  a  decidedly  discriminating  mind,  and 
strong  logical  powers,  he  would  defend  his  own  views  with 
great  skill  and  ability.  He  had  a  good  knowledge  of  eccle- 
siastical history  as  well  as  theology,  and  was  altogether  a  well- 


16 

read  divine  of  that  period.  His  sermons  were  marked  by  great 
perspicuity  and  terseness,  and  abounded  in  pithy  and  striking 
remarks.  They  contained  a  large  amount  of  well-digested, 
well-arranged  thought,  without  any  attempt  at  eloquence  of 
style ;  and  his  manner  seldom  rose  to  much  earnestness."* 

Eccentricity  seems  to  have  been  a  prominent  feature  in  his 
character,  illustrative  of  which  many  amusing  anecdotes  have 
come  to  my  knowledge.  The  late  Capt.  Erastus  Perkins,  who 
died  a  few  years  since  in  the  hundred  and  second  year  of  his 
age,  was  one  of  his  early  hearers.  In  a  conversation  I  had 
with  him  respecting  Mr.  Judson,  he  remarked,  that  he  had 
the  reputation  of  being  both  odd  and  indolent.  If  he  hap- 
pened to  feel  weary,  he  would  deliver  his  sermons  in  a  loung- 
ing or  sitting  posture.  In  the  summer  season,  when  the  heat 
was  oppressive,  if  he  wanted  a  short  recess  between  the  prayer 
and  sermon,  he  would  give  out  a  long  psalm,  such  as  may  be 
found  in  Watts'  version.  For  example,  he  would  name,  per- 
haps the  104th  Psalm,  long  metre,  beginning  at  the  fourteenth 
verse  : 

"  To  cragged  hills  ascends  the  goat, 
And,  at  the  airy  mountain's  foot, 
The  feebler  creatures  make  their  cell ; 
He  gives  them  wisdom  where  to  dwell,"  &c. 

While  the  singing  of  a  dozen  verses  was  going  on  in  the  tune, 
Old  Hundred  or  Hebron,  he  would  retire  to  a  shade  in  the  rear 
of  the  church,  to  catch  the  breeze  which  floated  up  the  river ; 
and  when  singing  was  ended,  he  returned  to  the  pulpit,  and 
commenced  his  sermon. 

Miss  Caulkins  has  related  some  things  that  illustrate  his 
eccentricity.  When  preaching  on  the  excuses  of  the  guests, 
invited  to  the  wedding  festival,  he  remarked  with  solemn  grav- 
ity, that  they  all  began  to  make  excuse.  The  man  who  had 
purchased  five  yoke  of  oxen,  very  civilly  requested  to  be  ex- 

*  Dr.  Sprague's  Annals,  vol.  2. 


17 

cused ;  but  the  man  who  had  married  a  wife,  very  positively 
and  hastily  declared  that  he  could  not  come.     Hence  learn, 
said  the  preacher,  that  one  woman  can  pull  more  than  five 
yoke  of  oxen.     What  practical  application  he  made  of  the 
inference,  does  not  appear.     On  some  occasion  he  preached  a 
sermon  to  the  young  women  Up-town,  in  the  quaint  style  of 
Hervey's  Meditations.     He  gave  it  a  fictitious  and  dramatic 
form,  with  a  heroine,  named  Clarinda.     She  was  his  ideal  of 
a  gay  and  dashing  young  woman.     He  described  her  fasci- 
nating beauty  and  brilliant  wit,  introduced  her  numerous 
and  rival  admirers,  recounted  her  flirtations,  dwelt  on  her 
fondness  for  dress,  scenes  of  gaiety,  the  amusements  of  the 
ball-room,  etc.      He  traced  her  course  through  the  flowery 
paths  of  a  fashionable,  pleasure-seeking  life  to  the  sad  finale 
of  the  sick  chamber,  and  the  bed  of  death,— weaving  into  the 
discourse  fiction  and  fact,  pathos  and  sentiment.     How  many 
tears  were  shed  over  the  poor  girl's  tragic  end,  is  not  known  ; 
or  how  many  converts  he  made  among  the  Town  belles  of  that 
day,  (for  he  preached  for  their  special  benefit,)  no  record 
informs  us.      Bat  could  he  return,  clad  in  the  same  old 
clerical  costume,  with  his  venerable  white  wig  to  crown  his 
head,  and  advertise  his  lecture  on  Miss  Clarinda,  he  would, 
I  think,  fill  Breed  Hall  with  a  curious  audience.     Possibly 
some  of  his  sketches  would  hit  off  present  times. 

During  Mr.  Judson's  ministry  but  few  names  are  recorded 
as  having  been  added  to  the  church.  The  public  mind  was 
agitated  by  the  political  affairs  of  the  colonies,  and  pending 
difficulties  with  the  mother  country.  The  revolutionary  con- 
flict absorbed  the  attention,  and  heavily  taxed  the  resources, 
of  the  people.  He  sympathised  strongly  with  the  popular 
spirit  of  the  people,  which  was  earnestly  enlisted  in  the 
cause  of  liberty.  Soon  after  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence was  published,  he,  yielding  to  the  impulses  of  a  patri- 
otic sentiment,  requested  and  obtained  leave  of  his  people  to 
3 


18 

accept  a  chaplain's  commission  in  Col.  Ward's  regiment,  and 
was  on  duty  several  months,  in  the  service  of  his  country. 

Mr.  Judson  participated  warmly  with  his  church  and  peo- 
ple, and  with  the  colonies,  in  their  self-sacrificing  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  civil  liberty,  then  the  all-absorbing  question  of 
the  times.  Not  satisfied  with  the  degree  of  influence  he  could 
exert  in  support  of  this  cause  within  the  limits  of  his  parish, 
he  offered  his  professional  services,  impatient  to  share  with 
others  in  the  hardships  and  perils  of  the  camp,  that  he  might 
encourage  the  ill-equipped  soldiery  by  his  counsels  and  pray- 
ers— invoking  the  strength  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts  in  support  of 
the  noble  work,  to  the  achievement  of  which  his  people,  and 
the  citizens  of  the  town,  had  so  manfully  and  resolutely 
pledged  themselves.  He  was  in  this  particular  a  representa- 
tive of  the  patriotic  zeal  which  in  that  day  glowed  in  the  heart 
of  the  clergy,  and  imparted  to  the  ministrations  of  the  pulpit 
the  living  power  of  popular  patriotism  and  heroic  resolvings. 
The  growl  of  Toryism,  that  clamored  about  the  desecration 
of  the  pulpit  by  political  themes,  did  not  intimidate  the  noble 
generation  of  ministers,  who  then  so  warmly  and  heroically 
espoused  the  doubtful  cause  of  American  freedom. 

Rumors  of  war,  the  enlistment  of  soldiers,  the  furnishing 
of  military  stores,  and  frequent  public  meetings  to  discuss  the 
grave  questions  of  the  day,  so  absorbed  public  attention  and 
feeling,  as  to  create  a  lamentable  state  of  apathy  in  respect  to 
the  ministrations  of  the  sanctuary.  On  resuming  his  paro- 
chial work,  many  discouragements  interfered  with  his  profes- 
sional influence.  Suffering  from  ill  health,  and  crippled  in 
the  means  of  his  support,  he  decided  to  tender  the  resignation 
of  his  pastorate.  Accordingly,  he  proposed  to  his  people  to 
unite  with  him  in  calling  a  council  to  dissolve  the  pastoral 
relation.  His  dismission  took  place  December  15,  1778,  and 
he  immediately  left  the  place. 

[The  speaker  here  paused,  remarking,  that  he  would  avail  himself  of  a  pre- 


19 

cedent  authorized  by  his  predecessor,  Mr.  Judkon,  referred  to  above,  and  re- 
quest the  choir  to  sing  a  few  stanzas,  thus  affording  him  a  brief  recess  for 
rest.     Immediately  the  following  Hymn  was  sung :] 

O  God  of  centuries  !    draw  near, 

While  glad  we  crowd  thy  courts  to-day. 

For  grateful  hearts  have  brought  us  here, 
AVith  joy  to  trace  the  gracious  way, 

In  which  Thy  hand  this  church  has  led, 
Till  now  two  vines  their  branches  spread. 

Here,  as  thy  holy  day  returns, 

Our  offering  on  thine  altar  burns  ; 
Thy  children  join  in  worship  high, 

Repenting  souls  for  pardon  cry, 
The  meek  are  bless'd — the  proud  subdued, 

All  feel  thy  presence — gracious  God  ! 

One  hundred  years  !  swiftly  the  hours 

Have  speeded  on  their  ceaseless  flight, 
And  not  one  soul  is  here  with  ours, 

Of  those  who  gathered  to  unite, 
And  form  this  church,  a  light  to  be, 

To  guide  earth's  wanderers  unto  Thee  ! 


As  a  century  more  rolls  by, 

And  we  in  dust  forgotten  lie, 
Oh  may  our  happy  spirits  shine, 

In  worlds  of  light  and  love  divine  ; 
And  children's  children  here  still  raise 

To  God,  our  Savior — songs  of  praise  ! 

The  War  of  the  Revolution  had  now  reached  a  crisis  of 
intense  excitement  and  painful  anxiety.  Frequent  demands 
were  made  upon  the  people  for  money  and  provisions  to  sus- 
tain the  army.  While  the  men  bestowed  freely  such  means 
as  they  could  command,  the  women,  who  had  husbands, 
brothers  and  sons  in  the  army,  formed  associations  to  make 
up  garments  for  the  suffering  soldiers.  All  contributed  or 
labored  to  sustain  the  cause,  in  which  all  hearts  and  hands 
were  united. 

From  the  date  of  Mr.  Judson's  dismission,  during  a  period 
of  nearly  nine  years,  this  church  remained  without  a  settled 
minister.     In  the  meantime,  the  cause  of  vital  religion  suf- 


20 

ferod,  the  work  of  conversion  ceased,  and  as  very  few  were 
added  to  the  church,  its  strength  was  seriously  impaired. 
Preaching,  however,  was  statedly  supplied,  mostly  by  the  em- 
ployment of  young  men,  candidates  for  the  ministry.  Mr. 
Nathaniel  Niles,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  prosecuted 
his  theological  studies  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Bellamy. 
On  applying  to  the  good  Doctor  to  receive  him  as'a  student, 
he  was  very  gravely  told  that  he  must  give  up  all  his  pre-con- 
ceived  opinions,  and  begin  anew.  He  did  not  object  to  the 
condition,  and  received  his  first  theme  :  "  The  Existence  and 
Attributes  of  God,"  on  which  he  was  directed  to  write.  On 
looking  at  his  subject,  he  coolly  remarked,  "I  don't  believe 
there  is  a  God."  "  What,"  said  the  astonished  Doctor,  "  come 
here  to  study  Divinity,  and  not  believe  there  is  a  God!"  He 
replied,  "  I  had  believed  there  was  a  God  ;  but  you  said,  I 
must  give  up  all  my  pre-conceived  opinions."* 

His  popular  talents  procured  for  him  several  invitations  to 
settle,  but  he  declined  them.  He  became  a  resident  in  Nor- 
wich, and  officiated  in  the  double  capacity  of  minister  and 
manufacturer.  While  in  this  town  he  wrote  that  stirring 
battle  ode,  "  The  American  Hero,"  set  to  a  tune  prepared  for 
it,  and  called  "  Bunker  Hill."  This  became  the  favorite  song 
in  the  continental  army,  which,  more  than  any  battle  ode  of 
the  day,  roused  the  heroism  of  the  soldiers,  like  the  Mar- 
seillaise Hymn  of  the  French  Revolution. 

The  spirit  of  this  young  man,  whose  ministrations  in  this 
church  served  to  kindle  and  intensify  the  fire  of  patriotism, 
as  well  as  the  life  of  religion,  is  exhibited  in  his  stirring 
verses,  of  which  the  following  is  a  specimen.  Alluding  to  the 
hostile  and  formidable  preparations  of  the  enemy,  he  says — 

"Fame  and  dear  Freedom  lure  me  on  to  battle, 
While  a  fell  despot,  grimmer  than  a  death's  head, 
Stings  me  with  serpents,  fiercer  than  Medusa's, 
To  the  encounter." 


*  Sprague's  Annals. 


21 

Another  of  the  preachers,  employed  during  this  period, 
was  Mr.  David  Austin,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  also  one 
of  Dr.  Bellamy's  theological  students.  He  was  a  preacher  of 
popular  talents,  dignified,  courteous,  eloquent,  and  impressive, 
lie  possessed  some  marked  eccentricities  which  were  amus- 
ingly developed  in  his  later  years.  In  preparations  for  the 
personal  reign  of  Christ,  which  he  fully  believed  was  at 
hand,  he  involved  himself  in  debts  which  he  was  unable  to 
cancel.  Consequently  he  was  thrown  into  the  debtor's  jail 
in  New  Haven.  Being  permitted  to  have  the  liberty  of  the 
yard,  he  amused  himself  sometimes  by  sporting  with  a  pet 
horse.  One  Saturday,  he  suddenly  mounted  it  and  cleared. 
Two  officers  were  dispatched  in  pursuit,  and  overtook  him 
Sabbath  afternoon  at  Lebanon,  just  as  the  people  had  as- 
sembled for  worship.  He  hurried  into  the  church,  went  di- 
rectly into  the  pulpit,  and  insisted  on  preaching.  His  pur- 
suers, thinking  that  they  hod  got  him  into  a  corner,  quietly 
took  seats  below.  Immediately  he  rose,  and  with  an  eye  to 
his  pursuers  announced  his  text,  John  viii,  21:  "  whither  I 
go  ye  cannot  come."  Having  closed  the  service  he  stepped 
down  from  the  pulpit,  and  gracefully  surrendered  himself.* 

Another  candidate  employed  by  this  society  was  Mr.  Zebu- 
Ion  Ely,  a  native  of  Lyme,  and  graduate  of  Yale  College  in 
1779.  As  a  company  of  British  soldiers  during  some  part  of 
that  year  were  approaching  New  Haven,  he  joined  a  small 
company  of  fellow  students,  as  an  aavanced  post,  and  kept 
up  a  brisk  fire  upon  the  enemy.  After  his  comrades  had 
fled,  he  wTith  heroic  spirit  maintained  his  position  behind  a 
tree,  and  continued  his  fire,  till,  surprised  by  a  concealed 
scouting  party,  who  attempted  to  arrest  him,  he  made 
good  his  retreat,  amidst  a  shower  of  bullets.  Mr.  Ely 
studied  theology,  and  was  settled  in  Lebanon.  He  was  the 
pastor  of   the  senior  Governor  Trumbull,  and  preached  a 

*  Dr.  Sprague's  Annals,  vol.  2. 


22 

discourse  on  the  occasion  of  his  death,  which  was  published. 
Dr.  Ezra  Styles  Ely,  of  Philadelphia  was  his  son. 

Such  were  the  men,  who,  as  pastors  or  temporary  supplies, 
ministered  to  this  church  and  society  during  a  period  of 
about  thirty  years.  But  from  causes,  some  of  which  have 
been  alluded  to,  their  labors  were  followed  with  meagre  suc- 
cess. At  the  close  of  this  period  the  Church  had  become  so 
reduced  in  spiritual  strength,  and  so  disordered  as  to  unity 
and  vitality,  that  in  accordance  with  a  previous  notice  a  spe- 
cial meeting  was  held  in  April,  1787,  for  the  purpose  of 
united  prayer,  and  the  renewing  of  the  covenant.  Professors 
resident  in  the  place  having  procured  their  letters,  united 
with  the  church  at  the  same  time.  The  following  record 
refers  to  the  result  of  this  meeting.  "  We,  whose  names  are 
subscribed,  judging  that  we  are  called  of  God  to  unite  with 
each  other  in  the  profession  of  the  Christian  faith  and  broth- 
erly communion,  as  a  particular  church  of  Christ,  do  here- 
by solemnly  enter  into,  and  renew  covenant,  professing  our 
belief  of  the  existence  of  the  only  living  and  true  God,  &c, 
according  to  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Church  Covenant, 
agreed  upon  to  be  used  in  this  church ;  and  in  testimony 
whereof  we  subscribe  our  names."  Twenty-one  persons 
gave  their  signatures  to  the  Covenant  thus  renewed.  Such 
was  the  condition  of  the  church  when  Mr.  Walter  King,  of 
Wilbraham,  Mass.,  was  cordially  invited  to  become  its  Pastor. 
In  this  action  the  society  concurred,  and  voted  to  give  him 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds,  lawful  money,  as  his 
salary  the  first  year,  and  to  add  thereto  forty  shillings  from 
year  to  year,  till  the  amount  should  become  one  hundred 
and  thirty-five  pounds,  which  from  that  time,  was  to  be  his 
yearly  salary  during  his  continuance  as  the  minister  of  this 
Society.     Mr.  King  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1782. 

An  ecclesiastical  council  was  convened  on  the  fourth 
Wednesday  of  May,   1787,  at  the   house   of  Mr.  Erastus 


23 

Backus,  for  the  purpose  of  setting  apart  the  Pastor  elect  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry  in  this  society.  The  council  was 
composed  of  the  following  pastors  and  delegates : 

Rev.  Levi  Hart,  Samuel  Coit,  Esq.,      delegate. 

"     Timothy  Stone,  Perley  Thomas,  Esq.,       " 

"     Joel  Benedict,  James  Bradford,  Esq.,      " 

"     Charles  Backus,  Dea.  Aaron  Horton,  " 

"     Joseph  Strong,  Dea.  Samuel  Huntington, " 

"     Zebulon  Ely,  Dea.  Thomas  Williams,    " 

"     Samuel  Nott,  Dea.  Joshua  Willes,  " 

Samuel  Austin,  Doct.  Levi  Ives,  " 

Rev.  Mr.  Hart  was  chosen  Moderator.  The  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Mr.  Backus.  It  was  an  auspicious  day  for 
this  church,  which  had  been  so  long  without  a  shepherd. 
The  society  were  united  in  their  action,  and  the  new  Pastor 
entered  upon  his  labors  under  encouraging  prospects.  He 
labored  with  success  in  gathering  the  members  of  the  dis 
persed  flock  within  the  circle  of  warmer  fellowship,  and  in 
concentrating  their  energies  and  influence  in  building  up  the 
decayed  walls  of  Jerusalem.  As  the  result  of  their  united 
prayers  and  labors,  a  large  addition  was  made  to  the  church 
during  the  year  following  his  settlement.  The  sisters  of  the 
church  were  active,  and  as  a  means  of  mutual  growth  in  the 
graces  of  piety,  they  entered  into  a  written  covenant  to  main- 
tain a  weekly  prayer  meeting.* 

The  next  event  of  special  note  in  the  history  of  our  Church, 
was  the  destruction  of  the  house  of  worship  by  the  great 
fire  in  November,  1783.  The  congregation,  being  thus  de- 
prived of  a  place  for  public  worship,  the  use  of  the  Episco- 
pal church,  was,  with  true  Christian  courtesy,  tendered  to 
the  society.  The  offer  was  accepted,  and  the  congregation 
assembled  therein  for  three  months,  when  a  room  was  fitted 

*  See  Note  D. 


24 

up  as  a  temporary  place  of  worship.  Measures  were  taken 
to  build  another  meeting-house,  and  the  lot  on  which  this 
house  now  stands,  was  selected  as  the  site  of  the  new  build- 
ing. The  money  was  obtained  partly  by  subscription,  and 
partly  by  a  lottery  granted  by  the  General  Assembly  to  raise 
the  sum  of  £800,  which,  including  liberal  donations  from 
Thomas  Shaw,  Esq.,  of  New  London,  and  Col.  Joseph  Wil- 
liams of  this  city,  being  their  shares  of  the  highest  prize  in 
the  lottery,  encouraged  the  committee  to  begin  the  work. 

With  the  views  now  entertained  of  lottery  schemes,  such 
a  transaction  as  that  just  noticed,  may  seem  irregular  and 
objectionable.  Our  feelings  would,  at  the  present  day,  re- 
volt at  the  idea  of  building  a  house  of  religious  worship  by 
the  avails  of  a  lottery.  But  in  former  days  this  mode  of 
raising  money  for  benevolent  or  patriotic  purposes  was  so 
conducted  as  to  avoid  the  offensive  features  of  the  system  as 
now  managed. 

The  dimensions  of  the  new  house  were  sixty-two  feet  in 
length  by  forty-two  in  width.  It  was  substantially  built,  with 
a  tower  surmounted  by  a  tall  spire.  The  services  of  dedica- 
tion took  place,  Dec.  24,  1795,  on  which  occasion  a  sermon 
was  preached  by  the  Pastor  from  the  text, — "  They  shall 
abundantly  utter  the  memory  of  thy  great  goodness."  It  is 
now  sixty-five  years  since  this  transaction.  From  that  day 
this  commanding  elevation  has  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath  been 
visited  by  religious  worshippers,  as  they  have  gone  up  "  unto 
the  testimony  of  Israel,  to  give  thanks  unto  the  name  of  the 
Lord."  But  very  few  linger  among  us  who  can  remember 
the  services  of  that  dedication.  Pastor  and  people  who  re- 
joiced together  on  that  occasion,  have  been  gathered  to 
their  fathers. 

From  this  time  the  labors  of  Mr.  King  were  prosecuted 
harmoniously  and  prosperously  some  fifteen  years.  Addi- 
tions were  made  to  the  church  by  profession  almost  every 


25 

year.  In  the  year  1810,  the  number  of  church  members 
was  about  eighty.  The  whole  number  received  to  the  church 
by  profession  and  letter  from  the  year  1760  to  the  close  of 
Mr.  King's  pastoral  relation  in  1811,  was  two  hundred  and 
thirty-eight. 

On  the  occasion  of  the  death  of  Washington,  he  preached 
a  sermon  from  the  text, — "  How  are  the  mighty  fallen,  and 
the  weapons  of  war  perished !  "  This  discourse  was  charac- 
terized by  decided  ability,  pathos,  patriotic  and  christian  sen- 
timent.    This  and  his  dedication  sermon  were  printed. 

Nothing  seems  to  have  occurred  to  disturb  the  harmony 
between  pastor  and  people  till  the  year  1810,  when  a  diffi- 
culty was  suddenly  created  by  differences  of  opinion  in  respect 
to  the  scripture  lawfulness  of  marriage  between  a  man  and 
the  sister  of  a  deceased  wife.  This  unhappy  controversy  was 
submitted  to  a  council,  convened  July  3,  1811,  from  distant 
localities,  and  after  protracted  deliberation  for  three  days, 
they  voted  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation.  In  the  meantime, 
they  state  in  their  result,  that  "  in  the  trial  of  this  cause, 
nothing  has  been  exhibited  to  impeach  his  character,  (Mr. 
King,)  either  as  a  man,  a  christian,  or  a  minister  of  the  Gos- 
pel." He  was  accordingly  recommended  by  said  council  "  as 
an  able  and  faithful  minister  of  the  Gospel,  in  regular  and 
fair  standing.  The  ministers  and  delegates  composing  this 
ecclesiastical  council,  were  the  following : 
Rev.  Joel  Benedict,  D.  D., 
"     Elijah  Parsons,  Dea.  Ephraim  Gates,  delegate. 

"     Amos  Barrett,  "     Sylvester  Gilbert,     " 

"     Azel  Backus,  D.  D.,         David  Bellamy,  " 

"     Calvin  Chapin, 

"     Daniel  Dow,  E.  Crosby,  " 

"     Dan  Huntington,  Dea.  C.  Whittlesey,  " 

"     Lyman  Beecher,  Hon.  B.  Talmadge,  " 

"     Noah  Porter,  Hon.  John  Treadwell,       " 

4 


26 

It  does  not  appear  that  this  body  of  ministers  and  delegates 
expressed  officially  any  opinion,  as  to  the  lawfulness  of  such 
marriage,  as  in  this  case  constituted  the  ground  of  contro- 
versy which  divided  the  church,  and  resulted  in  the  dismission 
of  the  pastor.  He  preached  his  farewell  sermon  in  August 
following,  founded  on  the  text,  "  We  shall  all  stand  before 
the  judgment  seat  of  Christ."  This  discourse  was  published, 
with  an  appendix  containing  a  history  of  the  origin  and  pro- 
gress of  the  controversy,  and  the  proceedings  of  the  council, 
and  their  result. 

Soon  after  his  dismission,  Mr.  King  preached  in  the  city  of 
New  York  and  vicinity  about  a  year.  Thence  he  went  to 
Williamstown,  Mass.,  where,  after  preaching  several  months, 
he  received  an  invitation  to  settle  over  the  church  in  that 
town.  His  installation  took  place  on  the  7th  of  July,  1813. 
His  work  in  this  field  was,  however,  soon  finished.  On  the 
first  day  of  December,  1813,  he  went  to  the  church  to  deliver 
a  lecture  preparatory  to  the  sacramental  ordinance.  He  read 
a  hymn,  stood  and  united  in  singing,  and  then  prayed  with 
more  than  usual  fervor.  He  read  another  hymn,  united  in 
singing  part  of  it,  and  was  about  to  begin  his  sermon,  when, 
putting  his  hand  to  his  forehead,  he  remarked  that  he  should 
not  be  able  to  proceed.  He  was  immediately  led  from  the 
pulpit  and  placed  in  a  pew,  where  he  was  heard  to  say  he  was 
cold.  These  were  his  last  words.  He  was  carried  to  his 
house,  and  died  the  same  day  of  an  apoplectic  fit.  President 
Moore,  of  Williams  College,  preached  on  occasion  of  his  fu- 
neral, from  the  text,  "  My  times  are  in  thy  hand."* 

In  the  autumn  of  1811,  the  Rev.  Asahel  Hooker,  who  had 
been  settled  in  Goshen,  Litchfield  county,  was  invited  to 
preach  in  this  parish.  Mr.  Hooker  was  a  lineal  descendant 
from  the  distinguished  Puritan  minister,  Rev.  Thomas  Hooker, 
the  first  pastor  of  the  church  in  Hartford.     In  consequence  of 

*  Panoplist,  vol.  12. 


27 

ill  health,  he  had  tendered  his  resignation  of  his  pastoral 
charge.  He  was  enabled,  however,  to  renew  preaching  after 
a  season  of  rest,  and  for  a  time  preached  in  New  Haven,  and 
in  the  Spring-street  Presbyterian  Church  in  New  York. 

It  was  a  kind  providence  that  called  him  to  this  church,  at 
a  time  when  the  division,  created  among  the  people  by  Mr. 
King's  dismission,  was  yet  unhealed.  He  was  pre-eminently  a 
common  sense,  conciliatory  man,  a  peace-maker,  a  "judicious 
Hooker,"  whose  timely  counsels,  benign  spirit,  and  acceptable 
ministrations,  gradually  allayed  the  elements  of  bitterness, 
and  restored  harmony.  He  received  a  call  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  church,  which  he  accepted.  His  installation  took  place 
in  January,  1812,  on  which  occasion  Dr.  Nott,  of  Franklin, 
preached.  He  entered  on  his  labors  with  an  earnest  spirit, 
and  the  promise  of  distinguished  usefulness.  His  preaching 
was  direct  and  pungent.  In  theology,  he  was  of  the  Edward- 
ean  school,  and  was  regarded  as  a  sound  and  thorough  doc- 
trinal preacher.  He  had  aided  many  young  men  in  their 
studies  preparatory  to  the  ministry,  by  whom  he  was  remem- 
bered and  beloved. 

Sometime  in  April,  1813,  he  was  seized  with  a  fever,  then 
prevalent  in  the  place,  and  in  a  few  days  died,  in  the  fifty-first 
year  of  his  age.  He  met  the  sudden  summons  with  a  sub- 
missive, triumphant  spirit.  His  people  were  deeply  affected 
by  the  bereavement  experienced  in  the  sudden  removal  of 
their  pastor,  whom  they  loved  and  respected  as  "  a  man  full 
of  faith  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  Dr.  Humphrey,  formerly 
President  of  Amherst  College,  was  one  of  Mr.  Hooker's  theo- 
logical pupils.  In  a  letter  to  Dr.  Sprague,  he  speaks  of  him 
as  follows  :  "  He  was  a  man  of  remarkable  mildness  and 
equanimity  of  temper.  His  face  was  the  mirror  of  a  lovely 
disposition.  His  smile  attracted  you  like  the  opening  of  a 
spring  morning.  On  his  tongue  was  the  law  of  kindness,  and 
he  entered  so  warmly  into  all  your  interests,  that  you  could 


28 

not  help  giving  him  your  entire  confidence.  *  *  *  *  He 
was  a  good  man,  of  excellent  talents  and  high  professional 
acquirements ;  a  devoted  pastor ;  an  edifying  and  searching 
preacher  ;  a  wise  counsellor ;  an  earnest  defender  of  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints."* 

Mr.  Hooker  left  a  wife  and  three  children  to  mourn  the  loss 
of  a  devoted  husband,  and  affectionate  father.  His  widow  was 
subsequently  married  to  Samuel  Farrer,  Esq.,  of  Andover, 
Mass.  His  son,  Rev.  Edward  Hooker,  D.  D.,  late  Professor 
in  the  East  Windsor  Theological  Institute,  and  his  two  daugh- 
ters, Mrs.  Cornelius  and  Mrs.  Peck,  are  yet  living.  His  grave 
is  with  us  in  the  old  cemetery,  marked  by  a  plain  monument. 

The  commencement  of  Mr.  Hooker's  ministry  in  this  city 
was  identified  with  the  organization  of  the  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  of  Norwich  and  vicinity.  A  circular,  containing  a 
well  written  appeal  on  the  subject  of  Foreign  Missions,  then 
just  beginning  to  enlist  public  sympathy  and  patronage,  to- 
gether with  a  constitution,  was  issued  and  sent  to  pastors  and 
churches  in  the  vicinity. f  This  society,  a  few  years  since, 
was  united  with  that  of  New  London  and  vicinity,  and  em- 
braces the  whole  county  as  its  field.  Its  next  annual  meeting 
will  be  the  forty-ninth,  being  but  one  year  younger  than  the 
American  Board,  which  will  celebrate  its  Jubilee  in  Octo- 
ber. 

At  a  meeting  of  this  church,  held  April  25th,  1814,  mea- 
sures were  adopted  to  extend  an  invitation  to  Mr.  Alfred 
Mitchell  to  become  its  Pastor.  Mr.  M.  was  the  youngest  son 
of  Hon.  Stephen  M.  Mitchell,  Wethersfield,  Chief  Justice  of 
the  State.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1809,  com- 
menced theological  studies  with  Rev.  Dr.  Porter,  then  pas- 
tor of  the  church  in  Washington,  and  accompanied  him  to 
the  Theological  Seminary,  Andover,  Mass.,  on  his  appoint- 
ment as  a   Professor  in  that  Institution.     He   there   com- 

*  Sprague's  Annals,  vol.  2.  f  See  Note  E. 


29 

pleted  a  regular  course  of  study.  The  society  concurred 
with  the  church  in  its  vote  to  call  Mr.  Mitchell,  and  offered 
him  a  yearly  salary  of  seven  hundred  dollars.  In  a  charac- 
teristic letter*  he  accepted  the  invitation,  and  was  ordained 
October,  1814. 

The  ecclesiastical  council  convened  to  ordain  Mr.  Mitch- 
ell consisted  of  the  following  pastors  and  delegates  : 

Rev.  Samuel  Nott,  D.  D.  Ashbel  Woodward,     delegate. 

"     Levi  Nelson,  Freeman  Tracy,  •' 

Dea.  Elias  Perkins,  " 
"     Nathaniel  W.  Taylor,  D.  D., 

"     Cornelius  B.  Everest,        Dea.  Wm.  Cleveland,  " 

"     Joel  Hawes,  D.  D.,  Lewis  Weld,  " 

"     Charles  Hyde,  Wm.  C.  Gilman,  " 

"     Edward  Bull,  Hubbard  Dutton,  " 

"     Seth  Bliss,  Nath'l  Coit,  " 

"     Barnabas  Phinney,  Dea.  Ebenezer  Allen,  " 

"     Geo.  J.  Tillotson,  Dea.  Edwin  Newbury,  " 

The  Rev.  Prof.  Porter  of  Andover  preached  on  the  occa- 
sion. 

The  people  gathered  around  their  young  minister  with 
confidence  and  co-operation,  and  heartily  engaged  in  efforts 
to  promote  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  church.  His  la- 
bors were  prosecuted  diligently,  studiously,  and  with  singular 
discretion.  Signs  of  promise  now  cheered  and  encouraged 
his  heart.  A  large  addition  was  made  to  the  church  by  pro- 
fession during  the  years  1820  and  1821.  And  in  the  mean- 
time there  was  an  increasing  attendance  on  the  services 
of  the  sanctuary. 

The  growth  of  the  congregation  required  an  enlargement 
of  the  house  of  worship.  The  addition  and  the  remodeling 
of  the  interior  were  completed  in  the  year  1829.     Mr.  Mitch- 

*  See  Church  Records,  Vol.  1,  p.  76. 


30 

ell  was  very  active  in  urging  forward  this  improvement,  and 
though  his  salary  was  only  seven  hundred  dollars,  he  con- 
tributed one-fourth  of  it  that  year  to  aid  in  these  improve- 
ments. Some  who  were  active  members  of  the  society  at 
that  time,  have  expressed  the  regret  that  they  allowed  him 
to  bear  so  disproportionate  a  share  of  the  expense  incurred 
by  the  society. 

On  the  return  of  the  congregation  to  the  house,  the  pastor 
preached  an  excellent  discourse,  appropriate  to  the  occasion, 
from  the  text,  "  The  glory  of  this  latter  house  shall  be  great- 
er than  the  former."  This  discourse  was  printed.  From  the 
spirit  manifested  in  this  sermon,  it  is  evident  that  he  was 
anticipating  a  speedy  realization  of  the  import  of  his  text, 
passages  from  which,  did  my  limits  permit,  I  would  gladly 
introduce,  as  showing  the  heart  of  the  man,  as  well  as  his 
power.  It  was  not  long  before  his  earnest  aspirations  and 
hopes  were  followed  with  "  times  of  refreshing,"  marked 
with  unusual  power,  the  fruits  of  which  were  choice  and 
abundant.  During  the  year  1830,  as  our  catalogue  shows, 
eighty-nine  were  added  to  the  church  by  profession,  and  in 
the  year  following  sixty  others,  making  in  all  one  hundred 
and  forty-nine.  Many  of  this  number  were  heads  of  families. 
Seldom  has  a  revival  of  religion  resulted  in  so  great  an  ac- 
cession of  strength,  maturity,  talent,  and  executive  influence 
to  a  church.  As  might  have  been  expected  from  the  known 
character  of  the  pastor,  he  experienced  and  expressed  intense 
solicitude,  that  all  who  had  thus  come  out  publicly  on  the 
Lord's  side,  might  adorn  their  profession  by  steadfastness 
and  consistency.  He  took  occasion  to  prepare  a  discourse, 
specially  adapted  to  the  case  of  persons  who  were  young 
in  religious  experience.  It  was  an  affectionate  and  faithful 
pastoral  message  of  counsel,  exhortation,  and  encourage- 
ment. The  text  of  this  discourse  was  from  1  Thessalonians, 
3:8.     "  For  now  we  live,  if  ye  stand  fast  in  the  Lord."     It 


31 

was  published,  and  whoever  reads  it,  will  feel  that  it  was 
worthy  of  the  man  and  of  the  occasion. 

With  a  renovated  house  of  worship,  and  a  revived,  active, 
united  church,  the  Pastor,  then  in  noon  of  active  manhood, 
must  have  anticipated  many  years  of  happy  intercourse  and 
prosperous  labor  among  his  attached  people.  But  God  had 
otherwise  ordered.  Towards  the  close  of  the  year  1831,  he 
was  attacked  by  disease  which  resulted  in  death  on  the  19th 
of  December,  in  the  forty-second  year  of  his  age.  His  amia- 
ble and  excellent  wife,  the  oldest  son,  and  two  daughters, 
have  since  followed  him,  and  their  graves  are  with  us. 

The  most  favorable  testimonials  to  the  character  and  min- 
isterial qualifications  of  Mr.  Mitchell  have  been  furnished, 
not  only  by  his  published  discourses,  but  by  surviving  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  then  under  his  pastoral  care.  The  Rev. 
Albert  T.  Chester,  D.  D.,  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  who  in  early 
years  enjoyed  the  pastoral  instructions  of  Mr.  Mitchell,  re- 
marks in  a  letter,  published  in  Sprague's  Annals,*  as  follows : 
"  His  sermons  were  always  most  carefully  studied  and  writ- 
ten. It  was  well  understood  that  he  would  not  preach  to  his 
people,  unless  his  sermon  had  been  finished  to  please  him, 
but  would  exchange  with  some  neighboring  pastor,  and  take 
another  week  to  make  his  work  complete.  *  *  *  *  Nor 
were  his  discourses  merely  correct  in  style  and  unobjectiona- 
ble in  expression, — polished  but  pointless :  they  often  con- 
tained passages  of  great  power,  which,  delivered  as  they  were 
with  increased  animation,  fairly  startled  the  congregation." 
Mrs.  Sigourney  of  Hartford,  in  a  letter  published  in  the  same 
connection,  has  given  a  beautiful  tribute  to  his  character  as  a 
man  and  a  christian  minister.  Referring  to  him  as  being 
averse  to  theological  controversy  and  metaphysical  hair  split- 
ting, or  a  severe  supervision  of  differing  opinions,  she 
says : 

*  Vol.  n. 


32 

"Not  of  that  band  was  he  who  toil  and  strive, 
To  pluck  the  mote  out  of  their  brother's  creed, 
Till  charity's  forgotten  plant  doth  miss 
The  water-drop  and  die ;  but  of  the  few 
Who  bear  Christ's  precept  on  their  lip  and  life, — 
See  that  ye  love  each  other." 

In  addition  to  the  two  discourses  already  noticed,  Mr. 
Mitchell  published  a  sermon  on  the  death  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Lan- 
man,  another  on  the  death  of  Bela  Peck  Williams,  a  youth- 
ful son  of  Gen.  William  Williams,  and  one  prepared  for  the 
"  Saybrook  Platform  "  meeting. 

On  the  fourth  of  April,  1832,  Rev.  James  Taylor  Dickin- 
son, a  graduate  of  Yale  College  and  of  the  Theological  Insti- 
tution therewith  connected,  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  this 
church.  Dr.  Taylor,  of  New  Haven,  preached  on  the  occasion. 
He  entered  upon  his  work  under  very  favorable  circumstan- 
ces, and  with  an  earnestness  of  spirit  and  honesty  of  purpose 
that  won  the  confidence  and  efficient  co-operation  of  a  strong 
church,  that  had  just  been  vitalized  by  power  from  on  high. 
At  the  time  of  his  settlement  there  was  more  than  usual  re- 
ligious sensibility,  which  favored  his  work.  During  the  first 
year  of  his  ministry,  thirty-three  persons  were  added  to  the 
church  by  profession.  In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1834,  a 
protracted  meeting  was  held,  and  continued  several  succes- 
sive days.  A  very  general  religious  interest  was  created 
through  the  society  and  community,  and  a  large  number  ex- 
pressed the  hope  of  conversion.  As  the  result  of  this  awak- 
ening, eighty-five  were  united  to  the  church.  The  number 
received  on  profession,  during  Mr.  D.'s  brief  ministry,  was 
one  hundred  and  seventy-one.  At  this  time  the  number  of 
the  church  members  resident  in  the  place  was  about  three 
hundred  and  twenty-five.  The  number  of  families,  that  con- 
sidered themselves  as  belonging  to  the  society,  was  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  ;  embracing  a  few  over  six  hundred  per- 
sons. 


33 

Having  continued  his  labors  about  two  and  a  half  years, 
Mr.  Dickinson,  yielding  to  the  conviction  that  duty  called  him 
to  labor  in  the  field  of  Foreign  Missions,  resigned  his  pasto- 
rate, and  his  relation  to  the  church  was  dissolved,  Aug.  20, 
1834.  After  devoting  himself  several  months  to  prepara- 
tory studies  with  special  reference  to  the  missionary  work,  he 
took  his  departure  for  his  distant  field  among  the  heathen. 
In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1836,  he  reached  the  island  of 
Singapore,  to  which  station  he  had  been  appointed.  Events 
operating  unfavorably  in  respect  to  this  mission,  it  was  given 
up  by  the  Board,  and  not  long  after,  Mr.  D.  resigned  his  con- 
nection therewith  and  returned. 

This  church  is  affiliated  to  others  of  recent  organization, 
to  which  some  of  its  members  were  transferred  by  letters  of 
dismission  and  recommendation ,  The  first  was  that  organized 
at  Norwich  Falls,  Aug.  29,  1827.  This  church  had  a  pros- 
perous, though  brief  history.  Its  last  meeting  was  on  the 
23d  of  May,  1842,  when  some  of  its  leading  members  united 
with  what  is  now  the  Broadway  Church.  As  early  as  1816, 
a  Sabbath  School  was  established  at  the  Falls,  and  formed 
the  nucleus  of  the  church,  which,  at  the  time  of  its  organi- 
zation, consisted  of  only  ten  members,  some  of  whom  were 
from  our  church.  Several  seasons  of  religious  revival  were 
enjoyed,  by  which  it  was  enlarged  and  promised  permanency. 
The  first  minister  was  Rev.  Benson  C.  Baldwin,  installed, 
June  31, 1828,  and  dismissed,  Aug.  18,  1829.  The  next  was 
Rev.  Charles  Hyde,  installed,  Jan.  2,  1830,  and  dismissed, 
Oct.  4,  1834.  The  third  was  Rev.  Joel  W.  Newton,  installed, 
Oct.  29,  1834,  and  dismissed,  Jan.  4,  1837.  The  last,  Rev. 
Thomas  K.  Fessenden,  was  ordained,  Oct.  16,  1839,  and  dis- 
missed, Feb.  17,  1841.  Up  to  this  last  date,  one  hundred 
and  fifty-seven  had  been  added  to  the  church,  of  whom  ninety 
were  received  on  profession.  Changes  in  the  business  of  that 
village,  and  the  establishment  of  the  Broadway  Church,  led 
5 


34 

to  the  dissolution  of  this,  and  the  clerk  was  authorized  to 
give  to  the  members  letters  of  recommendation  to  other 
churches. 

The  Congregational  Church  at  Greeneville  was  organized, 
Jan.  1,  1833,  and  was  composed  of  sixteen  members,  of 
whom  six  were  from  this  church.  The  first  Pastor,  Rev. 
John  Storrs,  was  installed,  March  12,  1834,  and  dismissed, 
April  17,  1835.  The  Rev.  Stephen  Crosby  commenced  his 
labors  in  the  society  in  the  fall  of  1836,  received  and  accepted 
a  call  to  settle,  but  his  installation  was  for  some  reason  deferred, 
though  he  continued  his  labors,  until  his  decease  in  June, 
1838.  The  Rev.  A.  L.  Whitman  was  installed,  Dec,  1838, 
and  dismissed,  March,  1846.  Rev.  Charles  P.  Bush  was  in- 
stalled Dec,  1846,  and  dismissed  in  June,  1856.  Rev.  Robert 
P.  Stanton  was  installed,  June,  11,  1856.  There  have  been 
received  to  this  church  to  June,  1860,  four  hundred  and  fifty 
members.     The  present  number  is  209. 

On  the  24th  of  May,  1842,  seventy-eight  members  of  our 
church  were  dismissed  for  the  purpose  of  being  organized 
with  others  into  the  Fifth,  now  Broadway  Church.  Most  of 
these  persons  were  then  in  the  vigor  and  strength  of  their 
years,  and  by  their  removal  an  important  portion  of  the  en- 
tire membership  of  the  church  was  taken  away.  The  change 
for  a  reason,  though  the  necessity  for  it  was  felt  and  acknowl- 
edged, exerted  a  somewhat  depressing  influence  upon  those 
who  remained.  The  number  of  resident  members,  after  the 
division,  was  two  hundred  and  twenty-seven,  among  whom 
were  the  aged  and  infirm,  who  did  not  feel  like  engaging 
in  a  new  enterprise.  This  church  was  organized  June  1, 
1842.  The  congregation  occupied  the  Town  Hall,  as  their 
place  of  worship,  till  Oct.  1845,  when  their  house,  erected  on 
Main  street,  was  dedicated.  In  Aug.  1842,  Rev.  Willard 
Child  was  installed  Pastor,  and  continued  till  Aug.  1845, 
when  his  resignation  was  accepted.  The  present  Pastor,  Rev. 


35 

J.  P.  Gulliver,  was  ordained,  and  installed  over  the  church, 
Oct.  1, 1846.  It  has  shared,  in  common  with  our  own  church, 
in  several  powerful  revivals  of  religion.  The  number  of 
members  has  steadily  increased,  till  it  now  numbers  about 
three  hundred  and  forty,  a  larger  number  than  belonged  to 
our  church,  before  the  separation  took  place. 

The  house  of  worship,  first  erected  by  this  society  on  Main 
street,  was  burnt  down,  and  the  one  now  occupied,  was  dedi- 
cated, Oct.  13,  1857. 

The  history  of  our  ecclesiastical  affairs  during  the  period 
of  twenty-five  years,  the  time  of  the  present  pastorate,  is  so 
well  known,  that  it  will  not  be  of  special  interest  to  dwell 
upon  it,  even  were  there  time  for  a  detailed  account.  The 
first  Sabbath  in  May  last,  closed  the  twenty-fifth  year  of  the 
present  Pastor's  labors  in  this  field.* 

These  twenty-five  years,  in  passing  away,  have  witnessed 
many  and  marked  changes  in  our  church  and  congregation. 
On  reviewing  the  records  of  this  church,  as  they  were  when 
I  entered  this  field  of  labor,  I  find  only  about  fifty  then  on 
the  register,  now  enrolled  among  our  resident  members. 
There  have  been  one  hundred  and  eighty-six  removals  by 
death.  Of  this  number  fifty-six  reached  a  good  old  age,  hav- 
ing passed  the  limit  of  three  score  years  and  ten,  one-half  of 
them  lived,  till  over  eighty,  and  one  over  a  hundred  years. 
While  removals  have  been  taking  place  by  death  and  dismis- 
sion, additions  have  been  made,  and  the  vacant  places  have 
been  occupied  by  others.  During  the  present  pastorate,  five 
hundred  and  fifty  have  been  received  to  this  church.  The 
ordinance  of  infant  baptism  has  been  administered  to  two 
hundred  and  forty-four  children,  some  of  whom  have  since 
professed  their  faith  in  Christ. 

In  the  spring  of  1844,  our  house  of  worship  was  so  injured 
by  fire,  that  it  was  decided  to  have  it  taken  down,  and  to  re- 

*  See  Xote  P. 


36 

build  of  stone  on  the  same  site.  This  edifice  was  dedicated 
to  the  worship  of  God  on  the  1st  of  January,  1846.  The  ser- 
mon on  the  occasion  was  founded  on  the  text,  Psalms,  96  :  6, 
"  Strength  and  beauty  are  in  thy  Sanctuary,"  and  was  pub- 
lished.* 

This  church  and  society  have  not  only  made  generous  pro- 
vision for  the  support  of  the  ministrations  of  the  Gospel  at 
home,  but  have  freely  responded  to  the  numerous  and  re- 
peated calls  of  christian  benevolence,  as  they  have  been  pre- 
sented. For  several  years  past  not  less  than  thirty-six  hun- 
dred dollars  annually  have  been  raised  for  the  maintenance 
of  public  worship.  The  contributions  to  objects  of  benevo- 
lence have  varied  in  amount  in  different  years,  rising  in  some 
years  to  a  high  figure,  in  consequence  of  special  appeals. 
During  the  last  year  these  contributions  have  not  been  less 
than  four  thousand  dollars. 

From  a  historical  sketch  of  the  Sabbath  School,  prepared 
by  the  present  Superintendent,  (Dea.  George  Coit,)  it  ap- 
pears that  in  the  summer  of  1815,  a  few  colored  boys  were 
collected  in  a  house  on  Franklin  street.  From  the  first  re- 
port of  the  teachers  it  appears,  that  they  commenced  with 
five  scholars,  which  increased  to  forty-one,  some  of  whom 
were  adults.  The  persons  who  engaged  in  this  Sabbath  mis- 
sion labor  were,  Charles  S.  F.  Harrington,  Asa  Roath,  and 
D.  T.  Hinckley.  In  1816,  another  school  for  white  boys  was 
established  in  the  school  house,  which  stood  near  where  the 
Town  Hall  now  stands.  The  colored  school  was  united  with 
this,  and  the  whole  number  registered  after  the  union,  was 
forty-eight.  Reading  was  taught  as  one  of  the  school  exer- 
cises. In  the  summer  of  the  same  year,  a  school  for  girls 
was  collected  by  a  few  young  ladies,  none  of  whom  at  the 
time  were  professors  of  religion.  It  met  in  the  porch  of  the 
meeting  house,  and  there  continued  till  the  weather  became 

*  See  Note  G. 


37 

cold,  when  it  was  removed  to  the  house  where  the  other 
school  assembled,  each  school  occupying  separate  rooms.  The 
number  of  girls  was  forty-seven,  between  the  ages  of  four 
and  twelve.     Miss  C.  M.  Marvin  was  the  Superintendent. 

In  the  year  1818,  these  schools  were  united  under  one 
Superintendent,  Mr.  Wm.  C.  Gilman.  He  commenced  a 
record  of  the  school,  which  has  been  continued  to  the  present 
time.  In  1820,  it  contained  one  hundred  and  fifty-one  schol- 
ars and  twenty-four  teachers.  To  encourage  this  enterprise, 
there  was  organized  in  Oct.  1816,  the  "  Chelsea  Sunday 
School  Union  Society,"  which  had  quarterly  meetings,  at 
which  the  progress  of  the  school  was  reported.  The  succes- 
sors of  Mr.  Gilman,  as  Superintendents,  were  Horace  Colton, 
J.  G.  W.  Trumbull,  and  Charles  Coit.  The  primary  aim  of 
those  who  engaged  in  this  enterprise,  was  limited  to  the  chil- 
dren of  families  that  did  not  attend  public  worship.  It  was 
a  home  mission  movement.  Soon  however,  the  field  was  en- 
larged, and  the  children  of  the  congregation  were  numbered 
in  the  Sabbath  School.  From  the  beginning,  it  was  resolved 
to  continue  the  school  through  the  year.  From  that  day  to 
the  present,  a  period  of  forty-four  years,  it  has  been  assem- 
bled as  regularly  as  the  worshipping  congregation. 

A  missionary  association  has  been  organized  in  the  school, 
and  a  monthly  contribution  has  been  received.  The  amount 
contributed  last  year  was  a  little  above  ($166)  one  hundred 
and  sixty-six  dollars.  From  the  avails  of  this  fund  a  Sunday 
School  missionary  is  supported.  A  Home  mission  enterprise 
has  recently  been  undertaken,  and  a  school  house  built  by  the 
liberal  donations  of  friends  of  the  cause.  The  number  on 
our  Sabbath  School  register  at  the  present  time,  is  somewhat 
more  than  three  hundred  and  fifty,  besides  fifty  or  sixty  con- 
nected with  the  Branch  School.  The  largest  attendance  dur- 
ing the  past  year  was  three  hundred  and  forty-seven,  and  the 
average  attendance  has  been  two  hundred  and  eighty -nine. 


38 

On  reviewing  the  records  of  our  school,  the  names  of  sev- 
enteen are  found,  who  have  become  ministers  of  the  Gospel. 
Four  others  have  died  while  preparing  for  the  ministry.* 
There  has  been  an  onward  progress  in  the  prosperity  of  this 
cherished  institution,  from  its  very  small  beginning  to  the 
present  time. 

The  institutions  of  christian  benevolence  have  received 
from  this  church  cheerful  and  steady  patronage.  The  cause 
of  Foreign  Missions,  more  than  any  other,  has  enlisted  its 
sympathies,  and  received  essential  aid,  not  only  in  pecuniary 
contributions,  but  in  the  personal  labors  and  sacrifices  of  its 
members.  No  sooner  was  the  American  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions  organized,  than  its  claims  were  responded  to  by  our 
church,  which  has  never  failed  of  forwarding  annually  its 
free-will  offerings  to  sustain  this  noble  society.  The  prox- 
imity of  the  Mohegan  neighborhood  of  aboriginal  inhabitants, 
early  suggested  the  idea  of  missionary  labor  for  the  conver- 
sion of  the  unevangelized.  The  mission  of  Dr.  Whitaker 
and  Sampson  Occum  was  a  preliminary  measure  in  the  mis- 
sionary enterprise,  inaugurated  ninety-four  years  ago.  This 
church,  in  its  early  infancy,  was  thus  baptized  into  the  mis- 
sionary spirit,  and  during  the  last  half  century  it  has  steadily 
shared  in  the  honor  and  privilege  of  sending  the  Gospel 
to  the  Gentiles. 

Occum,  the  Mohegan  convert,  was  the  first  missionary,  to 
whose  encouragement  this  church  contributed.  He  labored 
at  first  among  the  Montauk  Indians  on  the  east  end  of  Long 
Island,  and  subsequently  went  on  a  mission  to  the  Oneida 
Indians,  where  he  labored  with  success.  It  is  worthy  of  re- 
mark, that  our  first  missionary  to  the  pagans  was  a  man  who 
was  born  a  pagan,  and  who  after  his  conversion  and  educa- 
tion, aided  by  the  Pastor  of  this  church,  became  a  pioneer 
in  the  missionary  work.     But  the  spirit   of  missions,  thus 

*  See  Note  H. 


39 

early  developed,  in  connection  with  the  now  wasted  tribe  of 
Mohegans,  received  a  check  from  the  operation  of  various 
causes,  particularly  the  disturbing  excitement  and  absorbing 
influence  of  the  war  of  Independence  ;  and  except  in  domes- 
tic operations  it  was  not  again  awakened,  till  kindled  in  the 
hearts  of  those  young  men,  Mills,  Judson,  Hall,  and  Nott, 
who  breathed  their  spirit  into  the  soul  of  the  General  Asso- 
ciation of  Massachusetts  forty-four  years  afterwards.  This 
church  at  once  sympathized  in  this  revival  of  the  missionary 
life,  and  from  that  day  has  been  ready  to  part  with  her  sons 
and  daughters,  and  pecuniary  contributions  to  help  forward 
the  work  of  the  world's  conversion.  Norwich,  including  its 
original  limits,  has  furnished  for  the  work  of  missions  to  the 
heathen,  thirty  missionaries.*  Some  of  these  have  gone 
from  our  own  church.  Among  the  number  will  be  recog- 
nized the  cherished  name  of  Sarah  Lanman  Smith.  Her 
heroic  devotion  to  the  missionary  work  was  early  manifested 
in  the  laborious  and  self-denying  services  she  rendered,  in 
elevating  the  depressed  and  neglected  remnant  of  the  ever 
friendly  tribe  of  Mohegans  to  a  state  of  christian  civilization. 
Seeing  them  fast  sinking  beneath  the  pressure  of  neglect,  and 
scorn,  and  moral  degradation,  lying  by  the  wayside,  sick  and 
wounded,  with  none  to  care  for  their  souls,  she  as  an  angel  of 
kindness  undertook  the  almost  hopeless  task  of  raising  them 
to  the  plane  of  christianized  humanity,  and  inspiring  them 
with  hope  and  self-respect.  In  summer  heat  and  wintry  cold 
her  weekly  pilgrimage  was  made  to  this  weak  and  scattered 
people.  And  by  her  persevering  efforts  she  planted  among 
them  the  school  house  and  the  church,  and  left  on  their 
hearts  the  ineffaceable  impress  of  her  noble  example  of  self- 
denying  devotion  to  their  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare. 
The  fragrance  of  her  memory  will  be  preserved  there,  till 
the  last  of  the  Mohegans  has  disappeared  from  earth.   Thence 

*  See  Note  I. 


40 

she  went  far  hence  to  the  heathen,  to  teach  the  wild  children 
in  the  mountains  of  Lebanon  the  Gospel  of  Jesus.  And 
there  she  labored  on  till  the  Master  called  her  home. 

In  1842,  the  American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  met  in 
this  place.  The  known  interest  which  the  people  of  Norwich 
had  manifested  in  the  cause  of  Missions,  called  together  a 
very  large  meeting,  much  larger  than  had  ever  before  been 
convened.  There  were  present  sixty-three  corporate  mem- 
bers, two  hundred  and  ninety-two  honorary  members,  eight 
returned  missionaries,  and  Mar  Yohannan,  the  Nestorian 
Bishop ;  in  all  three  hundred  and  sixty-four,  besides  a  much 
larger  number  of  friends  of  the  missionary  cause.  The 
meeting  was  one  of  unprecedented  interest,  and  gave  a  new 
impulse  to  the  missionary  spirit  in  our  churches.  All  felt 
that  it  was  good  to  be  present,  and  share  in  the  soul-stirring 
and  elevating  services  of  the  occasion.  The  committee  of 
arrangements  was  composed,  besides  myself,  of  Rev.  H.  P. 
Arms,  Charles  W.  Rockwell,  William  C.  Gilman,  and  F.  A. 
Perkins. 

From  this  church  and  society  there  have  gone  forth  many 
persons,  who  have  been  lights  and  pillars  in  church  and  state. 
A  catalogue  of  the  sons  and  residents  of  Norwich,  who  have 
received  degrees  from  colleges,  may  be  found  in  the  appendix 
of  Mr.  Gilman's  Bi-Centennial  Discourse.  The  total  number 
of  graduates  from  Norwich,  as  it  was,  is  two  hundred  and 
forty-two.  Of  this  number  all  but  nineteen  have  been  grad- 
uated during  the  last  hundred  years,  of  whom  many  have 
been  connected  with  families  belonging  to  this  church  and 
society. 

This  church  has  proved  a  favorable  school  for  the  training 
of  a  goodly  number  of  worthy  Deacons,  by  whom  she  has 
been  well  served,  and  is  so  still.  In  1763,  there  were  chosen 
as  Elders,  Messrs.  Jabez  Dean,  Nathaniel  Shipman,  Isaiah 
Tiffany,  and  Jonathan  Huntington.    As  there  were  only  eleven 


41 

male  members  of  the  church  at  this  time,  exclusive  of  the 
pastor,  I  think,  that  with  four  such  men,  invested  with  the 
double  office  of  elders  and  deacons,  it  was,  as  we  have  no- 
ticed, pretty  thoroughly  governed.  Elder  Shipman  was  a 
Congregationalist  of  the  straitest  sect,  and,  jealous  of  Mr. 
Whitaker's  Presbyterian  proclivities,  he  protested  against  his 
platform,  and  being  a  firm  old  Puritan  in  principle,  he  ruled 
out  the  elements  that  conflicted  with  pure  Congregational- 
ism, giving  preference  to  the  old  Cambridge  Platform,  which 
was  at  last  adopted.  Reliable  tradition,  in  the  absence  of 
official  record,  assures  us  that  Jonathan  Lawrence,  Jonathan 
Huntington,  and  John  Corning  officiated  as  deacons,  and 
then  we  have  on  record  the  names  of  Samuel  Rudd,  Jabez 
Huntington,  William  Rogers,  Francis  A.  Perkins,  Horace 
Colton,  Hamlin  B.  Buckingham,  Charles  Coit,  Joseph  Otis, 
George  Perkins,  William  Williams,  George  Coit,  and  Claudius 
B.  Webster. 

Deacons  sometimes,  perhaps  not  without  some  cause,  have 
acquired  the  reputation  of  Diotrephes,  who  made  himself 
notorious  in  one  of  the  apostolic  churches.  But  it  gives  me 
pleasure  to  state,  that  I  have  not  found,  either  from  historical 
or  personal  knowledge,  any  disposition  manifested  by  the 
officers  of  this  church  to  assume  responsibilities  that  did  not 
legitimately  pertain  to  their  official  work. 

There  have  gone  forth  from  this  church  men  who  have 
acquitted  themselves  with  honor  in  the  responsible  positions 
of  civil  and  political  trust,  to  which  they  have  been  pro- 
moted. Some  have  with  ability  occupied  the  judicial  bench 
in  our  higher  courts  of  justice.  Others  have  represented  the 
State  with  honor  in  both  houses  of  Congress.  And  the  citi- 
zen, who  at  the  present  time  occupies  the  executive  chair  of 
our  Commonwealth  with  distinguished  ability,  was  formerly 
a  member  of  this  church.  Her  members  and  her  children 
may  be  found  in  every  part  of  our  land,  from  the  forests  of 
6 


42 

Maine  to  the  placers  of  California,  and  from  the  remotest 
points  of  the  sunny  South,  to  the  snows  of  Canada.  And  in 
many  instances  it  has  been,  and  still  is  known,  that  in  their 
wide-spread  emigrations  they  have  carried  with  them  their 
Puritan  integrity  and  religious  principles,  and  maintained 
them. 

This  leads  me  to  remark,  that  there  was  originally  incorpo- 
rated into  this  church  and  society  a  large  mixture  of  the 
Puritan  and  Saxon  stock.  The  leading  men  were  lineal  de- 
scendants of  the  earliest  settlers  of  New  England.  This  fact 
I  learn  from  an  inspection  of  the  names,  found  on  our  early 
records,  and  in  tracing  their  genealogy.  They  were  genuine 
off-shoots  of  charter-oak  nobility,  possessing  its  early  vigor, 
as  when  it  held  in  its  bosom  the  magna  cliarta  of  our  freedom, 
but  none  of  its  elements  of  decay.  They  live  in  their 
offspring  and  in  their  deeds,  and  though  that  time-honored 
tree  has  bowed  its  venerable  head  before  the  storm-blast,  the 
sturdy  founders  of  this  church  and  society  live  in  the  super- 
structure of  which  they  laid  the  foundations — live  in  the 
sons  and  daughters  who  succeed  them. 

Among  the  names  on  the  records  of  this  church  and  so- 
ciety, the  following  are  found:  Arnold,  Barstow,  Breed, 
Bill,  Bushnell,  Backus,  Bliss,  Clement,  Carew,  Coit,  Dean, 
Dennis,  DeWitt,  Edgerton,  Elderkin,  Fitch,  Huntington, 
Hubbard,  Howland,  Lamb,  Leffingwell,  Lanman,  Lester, 
Lothrop,  Kingsbury,  Miner,  McCurdy,  Perkins,  Peabody, 
Rockwell,  Roath,  Smith,  Trumbull,  Tiffany,  Tracy,  Trapp, 
Warren,  Wetmore,  Wight,  Whiting,  and  some  others.  Of 
the  Huntingtons,  four  are  named  as  having  been  active  in 
the  affairs  of  the  society  in  the  early  period  of  its  existence. 
The  chairman  of  the  society  committee  in  1752  was  Benedict 
Arnold,  father  of  the  traitor, — whose  mother  is  represented 
as  "a  patern  of  patience,  piety,  and  virtue."  A  letter, 
which  she  wrote  to  her  son   Benedict  when  at  school  in 


43 

another  town,  furnishes  evidence  of  her  exemplary  maternal 
qualities.  In  this  letter  she  says  to  him,  "  keep  a  steady 
watch  over  your  thoughts,  words,  and  actions.  Be  dutiful  to 
superiors,  obliging  to  equals,  and  affable  to  inferiors" — ad- 
vice which  seems  to  have  been  dictated  by  the  knowledge  she 
possessed  of  his  restless,  passionate,  and  reckless  disposition, 
so  lamentably  developed  in  his  subsequent  career  of  profli- 
gacy, treachery,  and  revenge. 

In  the  retrospect  we  have  taken  of  our  ecclesiastical  histo- 
ry for  the  hundred  years  this  day  completed,  much  has  been 
necessarily  omitted.  The  limits  of  a  single  discourse  will 
allow  nothing  more  than  a  rapid  notice  of  the  men  who  have 
been  the  prominent  actors,  and  the  affairs  included  in  its  his- 
tory. Enough  however  has  been  said  to  awaken  sentiments 
of  gratitude  to  the  Head  of  the  Church  in  view  of  the  past, 
and  of  trust  for  the  future. 

This  vine  was  trained  amidst  "troublous  times."  From 
the  year  1760  to  1790  the  country  was  involved  in  civil  and 
political  agitations,  in  an  exhaustive  war,  with  its  impover- 
ishing and  demoralizing  influences,  and  in  sharp  internal 
conflicts,  before  the  foundations  of  the  government  were 
settled.  It  was  a  transition  age,  in  the  affairs  of  which  a 
generation  expended  a  heavy  amount  of  time,  treasure  and 
blood.  After  the  darkest  clouds  of  that  stormy  period  had 
passed  by,  there  appeared  many  portentous  signs  in  the  po- 
litical skies,  that  threatened  disaster  to  the  ark  of  freedom, 
which  had  just  been  launched  on  a  sea  of  anxious  experiment. 

It  is  not  strange,  that  in  such  circumstances  this  vine,  then 
young,  should  have  been  retarded  in  its  growth  and  develop- 
ment. During  the  period  of  fifty  years,  only  two  hundred 
and  fourteen  were  added  to  the  original  number  of  six,  when 
organized.  During  the  last  fifty  years  the  additions  have 
amounted  to  one  thousand  and  thirty-six,  of  which  number 
more  than  half  have  been  added  during  the  preseut  pastorate. 


44 

Most  devoutly  should  we  recognize  the  good  hand  of  our 
God  in  his  dealings  with  this  our  beloved  church,  whose  early- 
foundations  were  laid  amidst  the  struggles  of  self-denial, 
with  many  prayers  and  tears.  When  the  storms  of  adversity 
beat  upon  her  in  her  weakness,  though  shaken,  and  some- 
times cast  down,  she  was  not  destroyed.  The  elements  of 
Puritan  soundness,  firmness,  intelligence,  integrity  and  faith, 
incorporated  in  her  membership  and  ministry,  acted  as  a  con- 
servative agency,  and,  under  God,  she  was  enabled  to  endure 
and  grow,  slowly  indeed  for  a  season,  but  sure  and  symmetrical. 

This  has  been  a  well  watered  garden.  Times  of  refreshing 
have  often  visited  it,  and  caused  it  to  bud  and  blossom,  and 
bring  forth  large  and  precious  harvests.  In  many  of  these 
seasons,  we,  who  are  among  the  living,  have  shared  and  re- 
joiced. And  many  who  have  here  finished  their  course,  have 
been  garnered  to  their  resting  place  in  the  better  land.  How 
many  hundreds  who  worshipped  in  connection  with  this 
church,  have  passed  away !  Pastors  and  people  ere  this  have 
met  in  another  world.  For  this  dear  church  they  labored  and 
prayed,  and,  having  been  called  home,  the  precious  trust  is 
committed  unto  us,  to  care  for,  and  pray  for,  and  live  for, 
till  we  too  shall  be  summoned  to  follow  them. 

Could  the  early  members  of  this  church  have  been  able  to 
look  down  the  long  vista  of  a  hundred  years,  and  witnessed 
what  we  see  to-day,  how  would  their  hearts  have  swelled 
with  holy  joy  and  exultation !  Could  we  look  through  the 
intervening  distance,  and  have  a  glimpse  of  the  next  centen- 
nial, we,  doubtless,  should  behold  a  jubilee  in  which  there 
would  be  commemorated  still  nobler  triumphs,  and  the  record 
of  richer  displays  of  a  Savior's  love  and  grace  than  the  past 
has  witnessed.  That  day  of  jubilee  will  come  ;  but  none  of 
us  will  be  there  to  participate  in  its  gratulations  and  services. 
Where  shall  we  then  be  ?  Serious,  solemn  inquiry  !  0  may 
our  course  be  such,  that  when  it  is  finished,  we  on  that  day  shall 
be  rejoicing  in  a  more  glorious  jubilee  in  our  Father's  house. 


APPENDIX. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Second  Congregational  Church  held 
April  24,  1860,  the  following  votes  were  passed  : — 

Resolved,  That  this  Church  (Providence  permitting)  will  observe  the  hun- 
dredth anniversary  of  its  organization  on  the  24th  of  July  next. 

Resolved,  That  brothers  William  Williams,  John  A.  Rockwell,  Ebene- 
zer  Learned,  Chahles  Johnson,  Samuel  H.  Grosvenoh,  Francis  A. 
Dorrance,  C.  B.  Webster,  David  Smith,  and  George  Perkins  be  ap- 
pointed a  Committee  to  cause  the  foregoing  resolution  to  be  carried  into 

effect* 

S.  B.  MEECH,  Clerk  pro  tern. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  appointed  by  the  foregoing 
resolution,  held  May  4th,  Deacon  Wm.  Williams  was  ap- 
pointed Chairman,  and  Francis  A.  Dorrance,  Clerk. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient,  in  celebrating  the  Centennial  Anniversary  of 
the  organization  of  this  church,  that  an  appropriate  historical  discourse 
should  be  delivered  at  the  church  in  the  forenoon,  accompanied  by  suitable 
religious  services  ;  and  that  in  the  afternoon  a  collation  be  provided,  with 
music  and  speeches,  at  some  suitable  place  in  the  open  air,  or,  if  the  weather 
should  be  unfavorable,  in  Breed  Hall,  cr  some  other  public  place. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  members  of  the  congregation  be  requested  to  co- 
operate in  this  celebration ;  and  that  the  Sabbath  School,  under  the  charge  of 
the  Superintendent  and  Teachers,  be  invited  to  participate  in  the  religious  and 
festive  services  of  the  day. 

Wm.  Williams,  D.  Smith,  and  E.  Learned  were  appointed 
a  Committee  to  invite  Eev.  Dr.  Bond  to  deliver  the  Historical 
Discourse,  and  to  make  arrangements  for  the  exercises  in  the 
forenoon. 

G.  Perkins,  C.  B.  Webster,  S.  H.  Grosvenor  were  appoint- 
ed a  Committee  to  make  arrangements  for  the  afternoon  ex- 
ercises. 


48 

C.  Johnson  and  F.  A.  Dorrance  were  appointed  a  Financial 
Committee. 

J.  A.  Rockwell  and  E.  Learned  were  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee to  invite  absent  or  former  members  of  the  church. 

F.  A.  DOKKANCE,  Clerk  of  Com. 

The  following  circular  was  sent  by  the  Committee  : 

CHURCH  CENTENNIAL. 

The  Second  Congregational  Church,  of  Norwich,  has  decided  to  cele- 
brate the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  its  organization,  and  to  carry  this 
purpose  into  effect,  has  appointed  a  Committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Wm, 
Williams,  David  Smith,  George  Perkins,  Charles  Johnson,  Claudius 
B.  Webster,  Samuel  H.  Grosvenor,  Francis  A.  Dorrance,  John  A. 
Rockwell,  and  Ebenezer  Learned. 

In  making  the  arrangements  for  this  Celebration,  the  committee  have  en- 
trusted to  the  undersigned  the  duty  of  inviting  the  former  members  of  the 
church  to  unite  with  us,  on  the  24th  day  of  July  next,  in  the  endeavor  to 
show  our  gratitude  "  for  mercies  past  received,"  and  in  supplication  for  a 
continuance  of  gracious  blessings  on  the  church  which  has  been  so  long  a 
watered  vine  of  God's  own  planting. 

It  is  arranged  that  an  Historical  Address  be  delivered  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Bond,  the  Pastor,  in  the  morning,  with  appropriate  religious  services,  at  the 
church ;  and  in  the  afternoon,  that  there  be  a  Social  Gathering  of  the 
Church  and  Congregation,  together  with  the  Sabbath  School. 

All  persons  who  have  been  at  any  time  members  of  the  church,  and  are 
now  attached  to  other  churches,  whether  in  Norwich  or  elsewhere,  are  respect- 
fully invited  to  be  present. 

You  are  earnestly  requested  to  unite  with  us  on  this  occasion. 

Very  truly, 

JOHN  A.  ROCKWELL,      >   r        ... 
EBENEZER   LEARNED,  5   Lommmee- 
Norwich,  May  17th,  1860. 

On  Tuesday,  July  24,  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m.,  public  services 
were  conducted  in  the  church  in  accordance  with  the  follow- 
ing order  of  exercises  : 

1.  A  Voluntary  was  performed  by  the  choir. 

"  Songs  of  praise  the  angels  sang,"  &c. 

2.  A  selection  of  Scriptures  was  read  by  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Shipman,  of 

Jewett  City. 

3.  Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  H.  P.  Arms,  Pastor  of  the  Eirst  Church. 
f.  An  Original  Hymn,  by  Anson  G.  Chester,  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  was 

sung. 


49 

Tune— Ward. 

A  century's  suns  have  shone  and  set, 

Since  first  our  pious  fathers  met, 
And  builded  here  a  holy  shrine, 

And  planted  here  a  tender  vine. 

Through  all  the  long  and  weary  years, 
That  vine  they  watered  with  their  tears  ; 

God  saw  their  vigils,  heard  their  cries, 
And  sent  a  blessing  from  the  skies. 

That  shrine  by  many  a  foot  was  sought ; 

That  vine  a  glorious  fruitage  brought ; 
Jehovah  bade  the  blossoms  start, 

And  twined  the  tendrils  'round  His  heart. 

Oh  God  !  thy  gracious  ear  incline, 

To  those  who  keep  this  larger  vine  ; 
And  give  it  rain  and  dew  and  sun, 

And  take  its  clusters  for  thine  own. 

And  when  our  watchful  eyes  shall  close, 

And  death  shall  bring  us  sweet  repose, 
Still  let  this  vine  receive  thy  care — 

Still  let  it  thrive  and  let  it  bear  ! 

Oh  may  this  shrine  be  made  thy  home, 
Through  all  the  changing  years  to  come  ; 

And,  tears  and  toils  and  struggles  past, 
Fathers  and  children  meet  at  last  ! 

5.  A  Historical  Discourse  was  delivered  by  the  Pastor  of  the  Church. 

6.  An  Original  Hymn,  by  Miss  F.  M.  Cavlkixs,  was  sung. 

Tune — Majesty. 
We  praise  thee,  Lord,  that  thou  did' at  found, 

This  church  on  Christ,  the  Rock  ; 
And  still  hast  kept  it  walled  around, 

From  error's  fatal  shock. 

Praise  for  the  souls  of  priceless  worth, 

Renewed  and  nurtured  here  ; 
Praise  for  our  vine's  celestial  birth, 

And  for  our  hundredth  year. 


50 


Praise  for  the  pure  and  honored  names, 

Upon  our  shield  enrolled  ; 
For  Niles,  m  whose  fame  the  nation  claims, 

For  King,  (2)  devout  and  hold. 

For  Hooker,  (3)  'mid  the  angels  sphered, 
For  Mitchell,  (4>  crowned  and  blest : 

For  living  guides,  <5>  whose  light  has  cheered, 
Full  many  a  darkened  breast. 

For  trials  that  the  church  refine, 

For  good  men  passed  away  : 
For  yon  fair  scion  from  our  vine,ra 

Our  sister  church  to-day. 

Now,  Savior,  let  thy  grace  divine, 

Fall  on  us  like  the  dew ; 
Say  to  thy  church,  Arise  and  shine  ! 

Revive  our  love  anew. 

So  may  the  century  we  begin, 

High  o'er  the  past  ascend  ; 
A  nobler  throng  of  converts  win — 

In  loftier  anthems  end. 


F.  M.  C. 


An  invitation  was  then  given  to  the  Congregation  and  the 
Sabbath  School,  to  meet  in  a  social  gathering  at  the  grove  in 
the  rear  of  the  "  Free  Academy,"  at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

The  exercises  of  the  Anniversary  were  resumed  by  a 
numerous  social  gathering  in  the  afternoon  in  the  grove  ac- 
cording to  the  preceding  notice.  The  Sabbath  School  was 
formed  in  procession  at  the  church,  and,  preceded  by  a  band 
of  music,  marched  to  the  ground,  where  preparations  had 
been  made  for  their  reception  and  entertainment.  The  num- 
ber was  large,  and  their  appearance,  and  good  order  elicited 
the  expression  of  general  satisfaction.  Members  of  the  church 
and  congregation,  and  many  who  were  formerly  connected 

1.  Rev.  Nathaniel  Niles,  the  patriot  preacher  of  the  Revolution,  author  of  the  beautiful 
ode,  entitled,  "  The  American  Hero." 

2.  Rev.  Walter  King,  ordained  May  25, 1787. 

3.  Rev.  Asahel  Hooker,  installed  Jan.  lfi,  1812. 

4.  Rev.  Alfred  Mitchell,  ordained  Oct.  27,  1814. 

5.  Rev.  James  T.  Dickinson,  dismissed  in  1834,  to  go  on  a  mission  to  China,  and  Rev. 
Alvan  Bond,  D.  D.,  the  present  pastor. 

6.  The  Broadway  Congregational  Church, — a  colony  from  the  Second  Church,  organized 
June  1, 1842. 


51 

therewith,  were  assembled  in  large  numbers  to  participate  in 
the  services  and  festivities  of  the  occasion.  The  grove  of 
native  forest  trees  was  attractive,  and  the  weather  sunny  and 
breezy,  it  being  one  of  the  most  perfect  summer  days.  The 
surrounding  scenery,  unsurpassed  in  its  beautiful  and  pic- 
turesque features,  added  much  to  the  charming  interest  of  the 
occasion. 

The  place  of  meeting  was  a  hill-side  somewhat  steep,  from 
which  there  cropped  out  at  different  points  rocky  projections, 
affording  natural  and  substantial  platforms,  which  were  oc- 
cupied by  musicians,  juvenile  singers,  and  speakers.  At  the 
foot  of  this  terraced  amphitheatre  of  nature's  construction, 
tables  were  spread,  tastefully  ornamented  with  floral  decora- 
tions, and  richly  loaded  with  refreshments.  The  best  arrange- 
ments had  been  made  to  render  the  occasion  both  profitable 
and  pleasant. 

The  assembly  was  called  to  order  by  Hon.  John  A.  Rock- 
well, with  a  few  remarks,  when  the  following  original 
Hymn,  by  Mrs.  Sigourney,  was  sung  by  the  Sabbath  School. 

Our  ears  have  heard  their  righteous  deeds 

Which  ancient  records  show, 
"SYho  in  this  pleasant  region  dwelt 

One  hundred  years  ago. 

Their  earnest  care,  their  christian  zeal 

To  guard  with  faithful  hand 
The  Church,  the  School,  the  Laws  that  make 

The  glory  of  our  land. 

Oh !  may  the  heavenly  grace  be  ours 

Now,  in  our  early  days 
Like  them,  to  choose  with  love  to  walk 

In  our  Redeemer's  ways, 

That  when  to  these  delightful  scenes 

Our  closing  eyes  grow  dim, 
It  aho  may  of  us  be  said, 

They  have  gone  home  to  Ilim. 

Rev.  Mr.  Haden,  of  Montville,  offered  prayer.  Short  ad- 
dresses were  made  by  the  following  gentlemen  : — William  G. 


52 

Gilman,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  the  first  Superintendent  of  the 
Sabbath  School ;  Rev.  Joseph  Hurlbut,  and  Rev.  G.  B.  Wil- 
cox, of  New  London  ;  Wm.  P.  Eaton,  Esq.,  and  Hon.  L.  F.  S. 
Foster,  of  Norwich.  Rev.  Dr.  Bond  read  extracts  of  letters 
from  Mrs.  Sally  Dodge,  of  New  York,  who  united  with  this 
church  sixty-six  years  ago, — and  from  Rev.  Wm.  Allen,  D.D., 
of  Northampton,  who  forwarded  an  original  Hymn  for  the 
occasion,  which  was  read  as  follows  ; — 

O  Zion's  King  !  Thee  we  adore, 

That  here  a  hundred  years  ago, 
On  this  implanted  river-shore 

A  precious  vine  was  made  to  grow. 

Rich,  clustering  grapes  from  year  to  year, 

"Which  thou  hast  nourish'd  in  thy  love, 
Thy  vine  hath  borne,  and  still  doth  bear, — 

Sweet  foretaste  of  the  joys  above. 

This  Chuech,  O  blest  Redeemer,  still 

"With  every  grace  wilt  thou  endow, — 
Thy  Spirit  every  heart  to  fill 

With  heaven's  own  bliss  brought  down  below. 

Thy  Church,  O  Lord,  that  growing  vine, 

Shall  spread  its  branches  wide  around, 
Nurtur'd  by  Prayer,  Truth,  Power  divine, 

Till  knell  of  time  on  earth  shall  sound. 

The  venerable  author  of  the  foregoing  Hymn,  married  for 
his  second  wife,  Miss  Sarah  J.  Breed,  an  esteemed  member 
of  this  church.  In  a  letter,  dated,  Northampton,  July  19, 1860, 
he  remarks  in  reply  to  one  addressed  to  him, — "  You  are 
right  in  thinking,  that,  although  shut  up  at  home  by  severe 
illness,  my  heart  will  be  with  you  then.  Lying  on  my  sofa, 
I  write  with  a  pencil  a  hymn  designed  to  be  adapted  to  your 
celebration." 

The  exercises  of  this  occasion  were  interspersed  with  sing- 
ing by  the  children  of  the  Sabbath  School,  which  was  per- 
formed in  a  manner  that  reflected  great  credit  on  the  teacher, 
who  for  several  weeks  had  met  them  for  the  purpose  of  in- 


53 

struction  in  vocal  music.  When  the  sweet,  tiny  voices  of 
the  infant  class  were  united  in  one  of  their  spirited  melodies, 
we  were  reminded  of  the  words  of  inspiration, — "  Out  of  the 
mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings  hast  thou  ordained  strength." 
Two  hours  having  been  spent  in  these  pleasant  services, 
the  chairman  announced  that  the  refreshments  would  now  be 
distributed,  which  was  received,  especially  by  the  juvenile 
portion  of  the  assembly,  with  marked  demonstrations  of 
satisfaction.  It  was  a  charming  spectacle  to  witness  the 
elastic  movements,  the  happy  faces,  and  exuberant  cheer  of 
the  many  juvenile  groups,  that  gathered  round  the  tables, 
all  borne  with  unconscious  effort  on  a  common  tide  of  joyous, 
though  controlled  excitement.  This  scene  in  the  programme 
having  closed,  the  members  of  the  school  were  re-called  to 
their  seats  for  the  closing  service.  After  a  few  remarks  by 
the  chairman,  the  following  Hymn,  composed  by  Mrs.  S.  P. 
Coit,  was  sung  in  the  favorite  tune,  "  Auld  lang  syne,"  in 
which  the  whole  assembly  united. 

Now  let  us  sing  our  parting  song, 

With  these  kind  friends  of  ours, 
For  we  have  been  a  happy  throng, 

Among  these  leafy  bowers. 

We've  heard  of  those  good  men,  who  laid 

The  first  rough  corner  stone, 
Of  this  dear  church — God  bless'd  and  made 

Two  spreading  bands  become. 

Pastors  who  left  this  church  for  Heaven, 

The  flock  fast  following  too, 
Some  who  for  heathen  souls  have  striven, 

How  sweet,  all  to  review  ! 

Our  fathers  !  Bless  their  memory  for 

Their  century's  holy  work, 
And  on  the  coming  hundred  years, 

We'll  make  our  christian  mark. 

And  now  with  very  grateful  hearts, 

And  very  happy  voice, 
We'll  bid  these  pleasant  friends  farewell, 

Who've  made  us  thus  rejoice. 


54 

And  when  we've  weathered  storms  and  calms, 

O'er  life's  rough  ocean  driven, 
Through  centuries  long,  may  we  adore 

Our  fathers'  God, — in  Heaven  ! 

Thus  the  Centennial  occasion  was  closed  in  a  manner, 
satisfactory  to  all  who  had  interested  themselves  in  its 
arrangements.  The  day  with  its  review  of  the  past,  and  its 
hopes  for  the  future,  will  form  a  historical  epoch  in  the  life  of 
this  church.  The  struggles  of  its  infancy,  through  which  it 
was  carried,  and  the  fruits  of  its  manhood,  which  have 
abounded  to  the  glory  of  God,  are  fitted  to  inspire  the  confi- 
dence, that,  under  the  same  good  Shepherd  it  will  be  pro- 
tected in  all  future  emergencies,  and,  at  the  close  of  the 
century  on  which  it  has  just  entered,  that  a  report  will  be 
made  far  richer  in  its  recorded  results,  and  a  nobler  jubilee 
celebrated. 

The  committee  held  a  meeting,  July  27th,  when  the  report 
of  the  finance  committee  was  heard  and  accepted. 

A  vote  was  adopted,  requesting  a  copy  of  the  discourse, 
delivered  on  the  occasion,  for  publication. 

The  committee  then  finally  adjourned. 

F.  A.  DOEEANCE,  Clerk. 


Note    A. 

The  following  is  the  Covenant,  adopted  at  the  time  of  the  organization  of 
the  church : 

Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  having  finished  the  work  of  our  redemption,  and 
broken  down  the  wall  of  partition  between  Jew  and  Gentile  by  removing  the 
covenant  of  particularity  out  of  the  way,  He  has  set  up  His  own  kingdom  or 
church,  and  has  sent  His  Gospel  to  all  nations  for  the  obedience  of  faith,  and 
invited  sinners  of  all  nations  to  turn  from  dumb  idols  unto  Him ;  and  has 
required  all  who  own  Him  to  join  together  as  opportunity  may  offer,  into  a 
particular  society  or  church,  to  walk,  worship,  and  serve  Him  agreeably  to 
His  blessed  Gospel,  and  to  watch  over  one  another  for  their  good,  and  not 
for  their  halting  i 


55 

"Wherefore,  ■we,  unworthy  sinners,  who  have  sometime  lived  without  Christ 
and  without  God  in  the  world,  being  now  called  out  of  it  by  the  ministry  of 
the  Gospel,  to  the  fellowship  of  Christ ;  and  having  our  hearts  stirred  up  by 
His  Spirit,  and  made  willing  to  join  together  in  church  state  and  communion, 
do  by  the  help  of  Christ,  renounce  the  devil,  the  wicked  vain  world,  and  the 
sinful  lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  all  anti-cbristian  pollutions,  and  our  former 
evil  ways ;  and  do  give  up  ourselves  first  to  God,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost,  through  the  mediation  of  Jesus  Christ ;  we  •offer  up  our  professed  sub- 
jection to  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  only  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King  of  His  people, 
beseeching  Him  in  His  rich  grace  and  free  mercy  to  accept  of  us,  as  His  cove- 
nant and  peculiar  people.  And  also  we  give  up  ourselves  to  one  another  by 
the  will  of  God,  promising,  in  the  name  and  grace  and  strength  of  Christ,  on 
whom  we  desire  always  to  rely  and  trust,  and  who  worketh  in  us  both  to 
will  and  to  do,  to  worship  God  through  Jesus  Christ  according  to  His  com- 
mands, institutions,  and  appointments,  as  they  do,  or  shall  appear  to  be  con- 
tamed  in  the  Word  of  God,  and  to  watch  over  one  another,  and  to  walk  to- 
gether in  brotherly  love,  according  to  the  rules  of  the  Gospel,  to  the  common 
edification  of  the  body  and  of  each  particular  member,  and  to  be  guided  in 
all  things  according  to  the  revealed  will  of  God,  seeking  to  advance  the  glory 
of  Jesus  Christ  our  Head,  both  in  church  and  brotherly  communion,  through 
the  assistance  of  His  Holy  Spirit,  which  He  has  encouraged  us  to  hope  for  by 
the  Word  of  Truth ;  and  to  submit  to  the  discipline  of  Christ  in  His  church, 
and  to  maintain  the  worship  of  God  in  this  place,  while  God  shall  continue 
us  here ;  and  we  do  consecrate  and  give  up  our  children  to  Him,  promising, 
by  the  help  of  His  grace,  to  train  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
the  Lord,  as  God  hi  His  Word  doth  direct  and  require.  And  we  do  manifest 
our  joint  assent  and  consent  herein,  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord  and  this 
assembly,  by  this  our  present  public  profession,  and  by  setting  or  ordering  to 
be  set  or  affixed  our  names  to  this  solemn  covenant. 

At  the  time  of  the  formal  and  solemn  renewing  of  their  covenant,  May  17th, 
1787,  a  revised  form  was  adopted,  slightly  differing  from  the  foregoing,  which 
is  found  on  the  records  of  the  church,  vol.  I,  pp.  48  and  49.  The  form,  as 
adopted  at  this  time,  is,  with  a  few  verbal  alterations,  the  same  as  that  now 
used. 

The  Confession  of  Faith,  adopted  at  the  same  time,  is  expressed  in  the  fol- 
lowing preamble  and  articles : 

Whosoever  will  be  saved,  must  confess  with  the  mouth  the  Lord  Jesus, 
and  believe  in  his  heart,  that  God  hath  raised  Him  from  the  dead ;  for  with 
the  heart  man  believeth  unto  righteousness,  and  with  the  mouth  confession  is 
made  unto  salvation.  We  do,  therefore,  from  our  hearts  confess  the  faith  of 
Christ,  and  profess  to  believe  as  follows  : 

I.  There  is  one  only  living  and  true  God,  the  unchangeable  Jehovah,  who 
is  one  in  essence,  yet  subsisting  as  three  persons,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost. 


56 

II.  That  God  did  in  the  beginning  create  all  things  out  of  nothing  by  the 
word  of  His  power,  and  by  His  will  and  providence  preserves  all  creatures, 
ruling  and  governing  them  for  His  own  glory. 

III.  God  did  create  man  hi  His  image,  after  His  own  likeness,  in  knowl- 
edge, righteousness,  and  holiness;  and  therefore  in  a  happy  state,  under  a 
moral  law,  which  was  suitable  for  him,  and  a  covenant  of  life,  which  was 
holy,  reasonable,  just  and  good. 

IV.  Man  continued  not  hi  that  estate ;  but  our  first  parents  (fell,)  and  we, 
and  all  mankind  who  descended  from  them  by  ordinary  generation,  did  in, 
together,  and  with  them,  fall  from  that  estate  by  sinning  against  God,  and  so 
are  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath,  and  liable  to  the  pains  of  hell  forever. 

V.  God  has  not  left  all  mankind  to  perish  in  a  state  of  sin  and  misery  ; 
but  from  all  eternity  elected  some  to  everlasting  life,  and  ordained  to  bring 
them  into  a  state  of  salvation  by  a  Redeemer. 

VI.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  both  God  and  man,  two  distinct  na- 
tures in  one  person,  by  a  wonderful  conception  and  incarnation  in  the  womb 
of  the  blessed  virgin  Mary,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  is  the  only 
Redeemer  of  God's  elect,  who  has  offered  up  Himself  in  His  death  a  pro- 
pitiatory sacrifice  to  God,  and  purchased  everlasting  salvation  for  them. 

VII.  The  Holy  and  Eternal  Spirit  of  God,  whose  special  work  it  is  to 
apply  the  redemption  purchased  by  Christ  to  the  souls  of  men,  doth  by 
working  faith  in  us,  unite  us  to  Christ,  and  make  us  effectual  partakers  of 
the  saving  benefits  of  the  death  of  Christ,  insomuch  that  they,  who  do  believe 
on  His  name,  are  justified. 

VIII.  God  requires  of  us  and  of  all  Christians,  as  necessary  duties, 
though  not  meritorious  conditions  of  eternal  life,  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  repentance  towards  God,  and  sincere  and  unfeigned  holiness  in  heart 
and  life,  with  a  diligent  use  of  all  the  means,  appointed  for  the  application  of 
the  benefits  of  redemption,  which  are,  especially  His  Word,  contained  in  the 
Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  and  Prayer  to  God  in  the  name 
of  Christ,  the  only  Mediator,  together  with  the  sacraments  of  the  new  Cove- 
nant, Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper. 

IX.  There  will  be  a  resurrection  of  the  dead  bodies,  both  of  the  just  and 
unjust,  and  a  reunion  of  the  soul  and  body,  so  that  they  shall  be  jointly  and 
together,  capable  of  being  the  subjects  of  happiness,  or  of  misery  to  all 
eternity. 

X.  There  will  be  a  great  and  general  Judgment,  God  having  appointed  a 
day  in  which  he  will  judge  the  world  by  Jesus  Christ,  whereof  he  hath  in  the 
Gospel  given  assurance  to  all  men  ;  and  at  the  last  day,  the  Son  of  Man  shall 
come  from  Heaven  in  the  glory  of  the  Father,  attended  with  his  Holy  Angels, 
and  sitting  on  a  throne  of  glory,  before  him  shall  be  gathered  all  nations,  and 
he  shall  judge  the  world  hi  righteousness  ;  the  sum  of  which  judgment  will 
be,  that  the  wicked  shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment,  and  the  right- 
eous into  life  eternal. 

This  confession  was  publicly  read,  and  assented  to  by  those  who  signed  the 
Covenant  on  the  24th  of  July,  1760. 


I 

> 

1 

57 

The  Articles  of  Faith  with  the  Scripture  proofs,  and  the  Church  Covenant, 
in  their  present  form,  were  adopted  by  the  Church,  July  27,  1829,  and  first 
printed  with  a  Catalogue,  in  1830.  The  number  on  this  Catalogue  is  177,  of 
•whom  22  only  remain. 

Note  B. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  pew-holders,  two  families  being  accom- 
modated in  the  same  pew,  as  follows  : 

Seth  Harding  and  William  RockAvell ;  Sybile  Crocker  and  Jonathan 
Lester  ;  Thomas  Trapp,  Jr.,  and  Stephen  Barker  ;  Jabez  Dean  and  Elijah 
Lathrop  ;  John  Tracy  and  Peter  Lanman  ;  Joseph  Trumbull  and  Jabez 
Perkins ;  Ephraim  Bill  and  Hugh  Ledlie :  Ebenczer  Fillmore,  Jr.,  and 
Timothy  Herrick  ;  "William  Coit  and  Simon  Carewr ;  Nathaniel  Backus  and 
Nathaniel  Backus,  Jr. ;  Abel  Brewster  and  John  Martin ;  David  Lamb  and 
Moses  Pierce  ;  Benajah  Lefnngwell  and  Ezra  Backus  ;  Benjamin  Huntington 
and  Nathaniel  Shipman  ;  Joseph  Smith  and  Isaac  Park  ;  Stephen  Roath  and 
Stephen  Roath,  Jr.  ;  Hannah  Wight  and  Joseph  Kelley  ;  Jacob  DeWitt  and 
John  M'Clarren  Bned;  John  and  Peter  Waterman ;  Benjamin  and  George 
Dennis ;  Caleb  Whitney  and  Joshua  Norman ;  Daniel  Kelley  and  William 
Capron ;  Prosper  Wetmore  and  Ebenczer  Fitch ;  David  Roath  and  Samuel 
Roath;  William  Breed  and  Zephaniah  Jennings  ;  Joseph  Wight  and  Lemuel 
Buswell.  The  minister  and  his  family  had  the  use  of  an  entire  pew  assigned 
to  them.  Fifty-two  pew-holders  besides  the  family  of  the  minister,  are  in- 
cluded in  this  record,  as  it  appears  on  the  Society's  books. 

Note  O. 

The  mission  of  Dr.  Whitaker  in  behalf  of  the  "  Indian  Charity  School," 
identifies  him  and  this  church  with  the  work  of  missions  in  a  manner  worthy 
of  remark.  The  successful  labors  of  David  Brainard  among  the  Indians 
about  that  time,  had  awakened  in  the  churches  much  interest  for  the  conver- 
sion and  civilization  of  the  native  inhabitants.  The  proximity  of  the  Mohegan 
tribe,  and  their  firm  frendship,  created  a  missionary  spirit  in  the  older  church 
of  this  town,  in  which  our  church' and  its  Pastor  participated.  A  mission 
school  for  Indian  youth  was  founded  by  Rev.  Eleazer  Wheelock,  at  Lebanon. 
It  wTas  patronized  by  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts,  w-hich  assumed  for 
a  time  the  support  of  six  Indian  youth.  The  General  Assembly  of  New 
Hampshire  made  a  donation  to  promote  the  design.  Contributions  were  sent 
in  from  churches  and  individuals.  Among  the  benefactors  were  Rev.  George 
Whitefield,  the  Countess  of  Huntington,  and  other  foreigners. 

Samson  Occum  was  one  of  the  first  pupils  of  this  school,  and  as  he  became 
a  preacher  of  popular  talents,  it  was  arranged  for  him  to  go  on  an  agency 
for  it  to  the  mother  country,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Whitaker.  This  mission 
was  so  successful,  as  to  justify  an  enlargement  of  the  plan,  and,  as  the  result, 


58 

the  Indian  Charity  School  became  the  foundation  of  Dartmouth  College. 
The  missionary  zeal  of  Dr.  Whitaker  was  an  element  in  his  life  and  ministry, 
which  for  those  times  entitles  him  to  be  reckoned  as  one  of  the  honored 
pioneers  in  the  work  of  evangelizing  the  pagan  tribes  of  this  new  world. 
And  the  fact  is  not  without  interest,  that  his  labors  were  subsequently 
identified  with  the  Tabernacle  church  in  Salem,  Mass.,  in  which  at  a  later 
period,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Worcester,  one  of  the  founders,  and  the  first  Secretary 
of  the  American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  officiated  as  Pastor  till  his  death. 
The  facts,  to  which  this  reference  is  made,  unimportant  as  they  may  seem 
in  the  eventful  history  of  missions  in  our  country,  may  be  regarded  as  con- 
stituting one  of  the  small  head-springs,  whence  there  has  arisen  a  noble 
tributary  to  that  river  of  missionary  influences  and  agencies,  which  is  diffusing 
the  waters  of  life  over  the  arid  wastes  of  the  heathen  world.  Thus  to  trace 
a  noble  stream  up  to  its  source  in  some  hidden  spring,  while  pleasing  to  the 
historic  inquirer,  affords  an  instructive  illustration  of  the  method,  in  which 
Divine  Providence  works  in  the  incipiency  and  development  of  its  plans. 


Note   33. 

FORM  OF  A  "  SISTERLY  COVENANT  "  ADOPTED  IN  THE  YEAR  1790. 
"We,  whose  names  are  here  written,  having,  as  we  hope,  a  sincere  desire  for 
the  glory  of  God,  and  the  good  of  our  own  souls  and  others,  have  thought 
proper,  besides  the  Covenant  we  have  already  made  with  God  and  each  other, 
to  make  this  also,  whereby  we  hope  mutually  to  assist  each  other  in  our 
Christian  course. 

1 .  We  think  it  best  to  set  apart  one  evening  of  every  week,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  meeting  together  to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  other  good  books, 
to  sing  the  praises  of  our  Redeemer,  but  more  especially  to  pray  with  and  for 
each  other,  for  our  dear  friends,  and  all  our  fellow  creatures. 

2.  We  propose  to  begin  our  meetings  at  the  time  of  lighting  candles,  and 
not  be  needlessly  absent,  but  must  be  as  near  the  time  as  we  can  ;  read  while 
our  company  is  collecting,  then  begin  with  prayer,  then  sing  a  hymn,  or  psalm, 
next  we  may  read  in  the  Bible,  and  converse,  if  we  think  proper,  till  it  is 
time  to  conclude  with  prayer  and  singing. 

3.  Every  member  that  agrees  to  take  her  turn  in  the  performance,  is  to  do 
it  in  the  order  of  her  name,  as  annexed  to  this  our  agreement,  and  in  case  the 
person  should  be  absent,  whose  turn  it  is  to  pray,  the  next  in  order  must  do 
it  in  her  stead,  and  the  absent  one  must  perform  the  next  time.  It  is  agreed 
that  no  person  shall  be  urged  to  perform  this  duty  against  her  will ;  but  it  is 
hoped,  that  none  will  long  refuse,  since  God  looks  only  on  the  heart. 

4.  We  promise  not  to  divulge  the  infirmities  of  a  fellow  member,  but  to 
keep  all  things  secret  belonging  to  the  Society,  the  discovery  of  which  might 
be  a  disadvantage. 

5.  We  resolve  to  be  charitable  to  each  other,  and  to  advise,  caution,  ad- 
monish one  another,  and  we  agree  not  to  be  offended,  but  kindly  and  thankful- 


59 

ly  receive  reproof  from  any  of  our  members.  We  shall  endeavor  that  our  dis- 
course -while  together,  shall  be  of  the  things  that  pertain  to  godliness.  And 
when  apart,  our  behavior  shall  be  such  as  becomes  Christianity.  And  if  any 
member  commits  any  offence,  and  after  being  often  reproved,  still  contiuues 
impenitent,  she  shall  be  excluded  from  us,  until  she  gives  evidence  of  her 
sorrow  for  her  past  conduct. 

6.  "We  further  agree,  that  if  any  person  desires  to  join  with  us,  it  shall 
be  mentioned  in  one  of  our  meetings,  and  the  one  chosen  for  our  head  shall 
converse  with  her,  and  if  there  be  no  objection,  she  shall  be  orderly  received 
as  a  member. 

Signed, 

ANNA  BUSWELL,  EUNICE  HART, 

SARAH  LANMAN,  LYDIA  M'CURDY, 

SARAH  TRAPP,  BETSEY  BREED, 

LYDIA  PERKINS,  SALLY  DODGE, 

SARAH  SMITH,  LYDIA  BREED, 

HANNAH  JOHNSON,  MARTHA  WILLIAMS, 

ABIGAIL  YOUNG,  ELIZABETH  BUSWELL, 

SARAH  KING,  MARY  HUNTINGTON, 

SUSANNA  HOWLAND,  MARY  ANNA  G.  LANMAN, 

ANNA  VERA  KIRTLAND,  REBECCA  BREED, 

ANNA  FANNING,  SARAH  PERKINS, 

ANNA  COIT,  REBECCA  HUNTINGTON, 

MARY  SILSBY,  SALLY  HUNTINGTON, 

LUCINDA  CHENEY,  BETSEY  PERKINS, 

ELIZABETH  HUNTINGTON,  ABIGAIL  WILLIAMS, 

PERCY  PEABODY,  ELIZABETH  GREEN, 

ANNA  REDDY,  BETSEY  ROCKWELL, 

ELIZABETH  ROCKWELL,  NANCY  COIT, 

CATHERINE  PEABODY,  SARAH  DEMING. 

Note    E. 

CIRCULAR  AND  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  FIRST  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY. 
The  period  in  which  we  Uve,  is  deeply  interesting  to  the  Church  and  to  the 
world.  While  the  Most  High  is  arising  to  shake  terribly  the  earth,  and  to 
punish  the  inhabitants  for  their  iniquities,  he  is  not  unmindful  of  his  own 
cause.  The  last  fifteen  years  have  not  been  more  distinguished  as  a  season  of 
distress  and  perplexity  to  the  nations  of  the  earth,  than  for  the  exertions,  to 
which  many  are  awakened,  for  the  spread  and  establishment  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom  through  the  world.  Among  such  exertions  none  are  more  anima- 
ting, and  worthy  of  support,  than  those  which  are  directed  to  translation  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures  into  the  languages  of  many  benighted  millions,  and  the 
sending  of  able  and  pious  missionaries  to  instruct  them  in  the  way  of  eternal 
life. 

********* 

Under  the  direction  of  a  respectable  Board  of  Commissioners  of  five 
gentlemen  in  Massachusetts,  and  four  in  this  State,  five  young  men  of  the 
most  promising  character  have  already  taken  their  departure,  as  missionaries 


60 

to  the  East  Indies.  Several  others  are  preparing  to  follow  them  ;  while  many 
societies  are  forming  for  their  support,  and  for  promoting  the  benevolent 
object  of  their  mission,  by  aiding  the  translation  of  the  Scriptures. 

In  these  labors  of  love  to  the  Redeemer,  and  to  the  souls  of  our  fellow  men, 
we  are  desirous  to  bear  a  part.  In  proportion  as  we  value  the  precious 
privileges,  which  God  has  graciously  bestowed  on  our  ancestors,  and  on  us, 
we  would  cheerfully  acknowledge  the  duty  of  extending  the  same  privileges 
to  those  who  have  never  seen  a  Bible,  nor  heard  the  name  of  a  Savior.  While 
we  consider,  the  earth  is  "  the  Lord's  and  the  fulness  thereof,"  that  the  silver 
and  the  gold  are  his,  and  that  we  are  stewards  for  him  of  all  we  possess,  we 
would  cheerfully  contribute  of  our  substance  for  promoting  the  glory  of  the 
Redeemer  in  the  instruction  and  salvation  of  our  fellow  sinners. 

With  such  impression,  and  such  views  of  this  momentous  subject — we,  the 
subscribers,  do  hereby  associate  for  the  purposes  here  contemplated,  and  give 
our  consent  to  the  following 

CONSTITUTION. 
Article  1.     The  name  of  this  Association  shall  be  The  Foreign  Mission 
Society  of  Norwich  and  the    Vicinity. 

2.  The  general  object  of  the  Society  shall  be  to  raise  money  for  the  sup- 
port of  Foreign  Missions,  and  to  aid  the  translation  of  the  Bible  into  various 
languages, — the  particular  objects  being  specified  in  the  subscription. 

3.  Every  person  who  shall  subscribe  to  this  Constitution,  and  shall  engage 
to  pay  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  Society  annually  a  sum  not  less  than  one 
dollar,  shall  be  a  member. 

4.  Every  person  paying  fifty  dollars  at  one  time,  shall  be  a  member  of 
the  Society  for  life. 

5.  The  officers  of  the  Society  shall  be  a  President,  Vice  Presidents,  a 
Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  Auditor,  to  be  chosen  by  ballot  at  the  annual 
meeting. 

6.  The  Society  shall  hold  its  annual  meeting,  alternately  in  the  first  and 
second  Society  in  Norwich,  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  May  in  each  year. 

7.  The  first  payment  shall  be  made  at  or  before  the  first  annual  meeting. 

8.  Defines  the  duties  of  the  Secretary. 

9.  Defines  the  duties  of  the  Treasurer. 

10.  The  Society  will  receive  donations  for  the  support  of  either  of  the 
above  (named)  purposes,  under  such  restrictions  as  the  donors  shall  impose, 
and  will  pay  such  donations  according  to  the  direction  of  the  donors. 

11.  Defines  the  mode  in  which  the  current  expenses  of  the  Society  shall 
be  met. 

12.  If  the  office  of  the  Secretary  or  Treasurer  shall  become  vacant  during 
the  year,  the  President  shall  designate  a  person  to  fill  his  place. 

13.  Any  member  may  withdraw  from  this  Society  by  giving  written 
notice  to  the  Treasurer  of  his  intention  to  withdraw,  and  paying  all  arrearages. 

14.  No  alteration  shall  be  made  in  this  Constitution,  unless  by  a  vote  of 
two-thirds  of  the  members,  present  at  an  annual  meeting. 


CI 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 

Rev.  JosErn  Strong,  D.  D.,  President. 

Rev.  Asahf.i.  Hooker,  )  -,-.      t,      ., 

\  \  lee  Presidents. 

ZeCHARIAH  HUNTINGTON,  Esq.,  ) 

Jabez  Huntington,  Esq.,  Secretary. 
Hezekiah  Perkins,  Esq.,  Treasurer. 
James  Stedman,  Esq.,  Auditor. 
Norwich,  May  25,  1812. 

In  this  record  Ave  recognize  one  of  the  first  auxiliary  Missionary  Societies 
organized  in  the  country.  From  the  commencement  of  its  operations  it  has 
not  failed  to  contribute  annually  to  the  funds  of  the  American  Board.  The 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  New  London  and  vicinity,  was  organized  April 
14,1812.  Gen.  Jedediah  Huntington,  the  grand-father  of  Mrs.  Eli  Smith, 
was  the  first  President  of  the  Society.  In  the  month  of  June  following,  the 
sum  total  for  Foreign  Missions,  acknowledged  in  the  Panoplist,  was  $1379  15  ; 
of  which  amount  $375  60  was  contributed  by  the  two  Societies,  principally 
that  of  New  London  and  vicinity.  During  the  first  year  they  forwarded 
$531  60,  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Missions.  A  few  years  since,  these 
Societies  were  united  under  the  name  of  "  Norwich  and  New  London  Foreign 
Missionary  Society." 

Note  F. 

The  native  place  of  the  present  Pastor  was  Sutton,  Mass.  He  was  gradu- 
ated at  Brown  University,  in  1815.  His  theological  studies  were  prosecuted 
at  the  Theological  Seminary,  Andover,  Mass.,  where  he  remained  as  a  resident 
graduate  most  of  the  year  after  having  completed  the  regular  course  of  study. 
Near  the  close  of  that  year,  1819,  he  was  ordained  and  installed  as  Pastor 
of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Sturbridge.  Having  prosecuted  his  labors 
there  about  ten  years,  he  accepted  an  appointment,  as  Professor  of  Sacred 
Literature,  in  the  Theological  Seminary,  Bangor,  Maine.  The  severity  of  the 
climate  affecting  his  health  unfavorably,  he  was  induced  to  seek  a  field  of 
labor  in  a  milder  region.  In  the  winter  of  1835,  an  invitation  from  this 
Church  and  Society  was  extended  to  him  to  assume  the  pastorate  thereof, 
which  was  accepted. 

On  the  sixth  of  May  the  following  Council  was  convened  to  attend  to  the, 
preliminary  services,  and  perform  the  solemnities  of  the  installation. 

Rev.  Samuel  Nott,  D.D.,  Franklin ;  Ashbel  Woodward,  Delegate. 

"     Levi  Nelson,  Lisbon;  Freeman  Tracy,  " 

"     Lyman  Strong,  Colchester ;  R.  II.  Isham,  " 

"     Timothy  Tuttle,  Ledyard  ;  Isaac  Gallup,  " 

"     Joel  Hawes,  D.  D.,  Hartford  ;  William    Watson,  " 

"     Charles  Hyde,  Norwich ;   (without  charge.) 

"     Joel  W.  Newton,  Norwich;  Wm.  C.  Oilman,  Delegate. 

"     A.  B.  Collins,  Preston ;  George  Loring,  " 

Fourth  Church,  Norwich.  S.  L.  Hough,  " 


62 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Strong  presided  as  Moderator,  and  Rev.  Chas.  Hyde  acted 
Scribe.  The  sermon  on  the  occasion  was  preached  by  Dr.  Hawes.  The 
installing  prayer  was  offered  by  Dr.  Nott.  The  charge  was  addressed  to  the 
Pastor  by  Mr.  Strong.  The  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship  was  given  by  Mr. 
Newton. 

Note    G-. 

The  edifice,  which  at  present  is  occupied  as  the  house  of  worship  by  the 
Second  Congregational  Church,  is  ninety-one  feet  in  length,  including  the 
tower,  and  sixty-four  feet  in  width.  It  contains  one  hundred  and  twenty 
slips  on  the  floor,  and  twenty-four  in  the  gallery,  besides  the  orchestra.  The 
architecture  is  of  the  Roman  order,  the  plan  of  which  was  furnished  by  a 
professional  architect,  Mr.  "Warren,  of  Providence,  R.  I.  The  building  Com- 
mittee were  Messrs.  Russell  Hubbard,  William  Williams,  Charles  W. 
Rockwell,  George  Perkins,  Daniel  L.  Trumbull  and  Henry  Allen. 

The  services  of  dedication  consisted  in  reading  selections  of  Scripture  by 
Rev.  Eli  Smith,  Missionary  from  Beirut,  introductory  prayer  by  the  venerable 
Samuel  Nott,  D.  D.,  in  the  ninety-second  year  of  his  age  ;  sermon  by  the 
Pastor  ;  dedicatory  prayer  by  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Shipman  ;  concluding  prayer 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Clark,  Pastor  of  the  Central  Baptist  Church,  whose  house  of 
worship  had  been  kindly  offered  for  the  use  of  the  Society,  while  their  house 
was  in  the  progress  of  building. 

The  resident  members  of  the  Church  at  this  time  numbered  two  hundred 
and  eighty.  The  Deacons  were  Jabez  Huntington,  Joseph  Otis,  H.  B. 
Buckingham  and  Charles  Coit. 

The  organ,  which  cost  about  three  thousand  dollars,  was  the  gift  of  Dea. 
Joseph  Otis,  who,  in  addition  to  many  other  liberal  benefactions,  founded  and 
endowed  the  Library,  which  bears  his  name.  Besides  this,  he  contributed  one 
thousand  dollars  towards  the  establishment  of  the  Pastor's  Library.  A  rich 
silver  christening  vase  was  presented  to  the  Church  by  Mrs.  Eunice  B. 
Farnsworth,  and  a  plated  communion  service  with  a  silver  cup  was  given  by 
Miss  Mary  R.  Mackie,  now  Mrs.  Frank  Johnson.  A  beautiful  Bible  for  the 
pulpit  was  presented  by  Charles  Boswell,  of  Hartford. 

In  the  summer  of  1855,  this  house  of  worship  underwent  extensive  repairs, 
and  important  changes,  at  an  expense  of  about  six  thousand  dollars.  This 
amount  was  subscribed  and  promptly  paid  when  the  work  was  done.  The 
dimensions  of  the  Church  are  sufficient  to  accommodate  eight  hundred  hear- 
ers, and  with  extra  seats  a  thousand  persons  may  be  comfortably  seated. 

The  Sabbath  School  room  is  fifty-nine  feet  by  thirty-six,  exclusive  of  the 
room  for  the  infant  class,  and  will  accommodate  from  three  hundred  and 
fifty  to  four  hundred  scholars.  The  Lecture  room  contains  seats  for  one 
hundred  and  seventy-five.  All  these  rooms  have  been  furnished  so  as  to 
make  them  comfortable  and  pleasant. 


G3 


Note    H. 

The  persons  referred  to,  as  having  entered   into  the  work  of  the  Gospel 
Ministry  from  the  Sabbath  School,  are  the  folio-wing: 


L.  D.  Bentley, 
Aleert  T.  Chester, 
Henry  Bromley, 
Edward  W.  Gilman, 
Elias  B.  Hillard, 
Giles  B.  "Wilcox, 
William  Tracy, 
Charles  H.  Chester, 
James  Dwight, 
Several   have   died    while   preparing 


Silas  II.  Hazzard, 
Walter  K.  Wilkie, 
Daniel  W.  Havens, 
James  A.  Bolles, 
William  Palmer, 
John  T.  Coit, 
Francis  C.  Woodavorth, 
Timothy  Dwight, 
Henry  D.  Woodworth. 
for   the    ministry,    viz  : — Peter 


L. 


Huntington,  John  B.  Dwight,  Daniel  Willes,  and  N.  W.  Dewey. 


Note    I. 

The  following  catalogue  of  Missionaries,  who  have  gone  from  the  original 
limits  embraced  in  the  Town  of  Norwich,  was  prepared  by  William  C. 
Gilman,  Esq.,  once  a  member  of  this  Church,  now  of  New  York. 


Year.  Names. 

1761.  Rev.  Samson   Occum.           ... 

1766.  "     Samuel  Kirtlaxd,          ... 

1812.  "     Samuel  Nott,  Jr.       ... 

1812.  Mrs.  Nott,  (Roxana  Peck,)    - 

1819.  Rev.  Miron  Winslow,       ... 

1819.  Mrs.  Winslow,   (Harriet  Lathrop,) 

1821.  Rev.  William  Potter,       ... 

1825.  Mr.     William  H.  Manwaring,       -         , 

1826.  Mrs.  Anson  Gleason,  (B.  W.  Tracy.) 

1827.  Rev.  Jonathan  S.  Green, 

1827.  Mrs.  Gulic,  (Fanny  H.  Thomas,)  - 

1833.  Mrs.  Ely  Smith,  (Sarah  L.  Huntington,) 

1833.  Mrs.  Palmer,  (Jerusha  Johnson,)    - 

1833.  Mrs.  Hutchins,  (Elizabeth  C.  Lathrop,) 

1833.  Mrs.  Perry,  (Harriet  L.  Lathrop,) 

1833.  Rev.  Stephen  Johnson,      ... 

1835.  "     James  T.  Dickinson,      ... 

1835.  "     William  Tracy, 

1835.  Mrs.  Hebard,  (Rebecca  W.  Williams,) 

1836.  Mrs.  Cherry,  (Charlotte  H.  Lathrop,) 
1836.  Rev.  James  L.  Thompson,       ... 
1839.  Mrs.  Palmer,  (Clarrissa  Johnson,) 
1839.  Mrs.  Sherman,  (Martha  E.  Williams,) 


Mission. 
Oneida. 

Mahratta. 

Ceylon. 

Cherokee. 

Choctaw. 
Sandwich  Islands. 

Syria. 

Cherokee. 

Ceylon. 

Siam . 

Singapore. 

Madura. 

Syria. 

Madura. 

-     Cyprus. 

Cherokee, 

Syria. 


64 

1839.  Mrs.  Brewer,  (Laura  L.  Giddings,)           -         -  Oregon. 

1840.  Rev.  Joshua  Smith,       -..._-  Africa. 
1844.  Miss  Susan   Tracy,  ------  Choctaw. 

1844.  "      Lucinda  Downer,          -----  « 

"      Eunice    Starr,         -----  «< 

1854.        Rev.  William  Aitchison,      -----         China. 
1860.  "     Wm.  F.  Arms, Bulgaria. 

Fourteen  Missions  have  been  or  are  at  present  strengthened  and  sustained 
by  the  sons  and  daughters  of  the  Congregational  Churches  of  Norwich,  as 
it  was  one  hundred  years  ago.  This  fact  has,  as  would  be  naturally  ex- 
pected, created  in  these  Churches  a  healthy  and  stable  interest  in  the  work 
of  Foreign  Missions — an  interest  that  lives  in  unabated  vigor  and  efficiency. 


X 


BX7150.N9S4B7 

A  historical  discourse  :  delivered  at 

wtmSmammSi  Semina^-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00062  4249 


N 


>-  <{    ^A  .  V| 


w 


